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XOTOIilO US DESPERADO 



Oil 11 611 Baker, 



PEOM HIS CHILDHOOD TO HIS DEATH, 



WITH A FULL ACCOUNT OF ALL THE 
MURDERS TIE COMMITTED. 



THOS. ORR, Editor- 

ii 



]A'i'TL\-: noi l\ : 

I' H 1 1 i: .^. T; A ni'O'S. J Oil Vi: 1 u l f 1: 

iSro. 



l%10 



Life of Cullen Baker, 



CHAPTER I. 

BmTii OP Cullen Baker— Birth and Marriage of his 
Mother — nis Father removes to Texas and settles 
at Spanish Bluffs, on Red River — Rose and Potter 
RULE the Country — death of Rose and Potter — Cul- 
len's Father removes to Sulphur County — Cullen's 
first fight, he whips a boy at mill. 

Cullen Montgomery Baker, the great man slayer, 
Federal fighter and negro killer, of the south-west, and, in- 
deed, the unsurpassed desperado of modern times, was horn 
in Weekley County, Tennessee, on the 22nd day of June, 
1835. Hit mother, who was a descendant of one of the hest 
famihes in Tennessee, was horn and raised near the town of 
Winchester, Franklin County. She was married in 1882, at 
the age of 19, to John Baker, Cullen's father, and gavchirth 
to seven children — three boys and four girls. The oldest, 
Mahala, a highly respected woman, is the second wife of 
Mathew Powell, a much esteemed citizen of Davis county, 
Texas. 

Cullen Avas the second child and oldest son. During his 
infancy nothing of any extraordinary note occurred wliieh 
would be of interest to the general reader. We will be con- 
tented with picturing him as a lovely child, fondling aroimd 
a pious mother who never dreamed that her helpless bab(^ 
would become the great arch-demon of the sunny south. 

For four yeai*s Cullen was a resident of the State of Ten- 
nessee, during which time he was kindly nourished by the 
best of parents, whose whole desire was to see their child an 
ornament to the country. In the latter part of 1889 John 
Baker, like many others, began to plan his fortunes in the 



; LIFE OF CXTLLEN BAKER 

i'ar M'ost, Hud soon took up tlio lino of march lor the rich Red 
river country, in the blooming State of Texas. In conse- 
qence of tlie very inferior traveling facilities, it was not until 
late in the season that they arrived at Spanisli Bluffs, Bowie 
county, Texas. 

The line of their march to the far v^'est might be pictured 
with many interesting scenes. But the fiimily will be repre- 
sented as traveling in a very ordinary style, — no railway cars, 
no costly velncles, no floAv'ry decked steamboats, were seen 
transporting the humble family to its western home, but a 
small wagon drawn by an inferior team served the purpose 
of conveying the family, together with their goods and chat- 
tels. Late in the month of December they succeeded in 
reaching the western shore of Red river, which country at 
that time was almost an entire wilderness. The decj) forests 
abounded in many Avild and voracious beasts that ^we re not 
afraid of being seen by human beings. 

At that time but few settlers had ventured to peril their 
lives in a country which had so recently been evacuated by 
the savage Indians, and still under the control of one or the 
other of two powerful parties, known as the Regulators and 
Moderators. The origin of these parties might be traced 
back a few years and found to have originated from the ca- 
pricious desires of two Avestern heroes — Potter and Rose. 
The former being a great tyrant, though a pretended lover 
of peace, was the first to raise a band under the pretext of 
keeping the country in quiet submission; but his futile acts 
were so aversi ve to the desires of a moral, though contuma- 
cious people, that other armed forces were soon seen para- 
ding the dense forests in pursuit of their enemies, the^fonner 
party. For weeks and months these smaller parties were 
seen to hover in secret and remote places, seeking opportu- 
nities to combat the more powerful party known as the Reg- 
ulators, headed by Potter. 

The smaller parties soon organized themselves into a com- 
mand known as the Moderators, headed by Rose. 

Each chieftain sallied forth over the sparsely inhabited 
country of north-eastern Texas with a band of several dozen 
at his command. Occasionally the rivals would meet in gene- 
ral combat, when a brief, though sang-uinary fight, would en- 
sue. Soon one or the other party would quit the scene of 
action to seek a hiding place, or perhaps to encounter a 
weaker branch of the enemy's outfit, which by accident may 
have been lingering in some remote portion of the country, 
partly for plunder and partly to shun a general engagement 
which was contemplated between those fearless and blood- 
thirstv chieftains. 



LIFE OF CULL EN BALyEE. r, 

Vi[\ihiix\Avd short si)iico of a few years the uiisoltlcd c<i»iuii' 
tion of the country and the insatiable thirst for human blood 
placed a large portion of the citizens of the Red river coun- 
try, either directly or indirectly, under the command of one 
these tyrants. The old, the young, and the middle aged, 
were alike subject to the maltreatment of an armed andlaw- 
less force, M^hich had enlisted for various purposes — some for 
the mistaken purpose of avenging wrong, others for plunder 
and profit, and not a few because of their inability to resist 
a powerful foe. 

While the excitement of partyism was running extremely 
high, and the terror of the parties was extending to every 
portion of the inhabited country, a bloody conflict ensued be- 
tween the unscrupulous rivals, which resulted in the death 
of Potter, Chief of the Regulators, and almost a complete 
annihilation of his party. But the few survivors, with 
renewed energy and a detennined spirit, gathered together 
the fragments of their once powerful band and began opera- 
tions against a greatly superior force, which terminated with 
the capture of the latter and remaining chief and the death 
of several'of his men. 

The country was now rid of two powerful tyrants, who 
had kept the citizens in terror for years, and they having no 
special successors, their forces were scattered to the four 
wingls of the earth, and the country was pennitted to breathe 
free and live in peace once more, rejoicing at the happy 
thought that the weapons of a relentless foe had fallen to, 
molder in the dust. 

CuUen was yet too young to take part with any public 
affair, but was noted for his shrewd, quick-witted and notica- 
ble character, which far surpassed that of other boys who 
were growing up to manliood with him. He possessed a 
natural relish for frontier life, and usually devoted his leisure 
hours in the forest with no other companion than his favorite 
rifle, pursuing various species of wild game which was found 
in almost any portion of the Red river country. 

Cullen's father, after remaining at Spanish Bluffs a few 
years, removed some forty -miles, in a Southern direction, 
and settled on the South bank of the Sulphur Fork of Red 
river, a few miles w-est of the Arkansas line, in a County 
then known as Cass, now known as Davis. 

Cullen's pa.rents were very lenient toward him in his 
younger days, consequently his opportunities for sporting 
and gaming were unsurpassed by any boys of his age. At 
the time of his father's removal to the Sulphur country, 
Cullen might be pictured as a delicate, sallow-faced and 
iirde|?endGnt looking chap, contented with the part of a suit 



G LIFE OF CTLLEN BAKER 

of very iiifeTior apparol, barely sufficient; to liido Ins iidked- 
ncss; scarcely ever known to Avear either coat or shoes except 
in the coldest of weather, and then they were usually made 
of the roughest niaterial, and a coarse Avoolen hat, to 
retard the progress of the penetrating rays of a meridian 
sun, Avhich had given him light and life for about half a 
score of years. 

Soon after tlie family arrived in Cass County, Texas, 
Cullen's father had occasion to send to mill, CuUen being a 
boy of great courage, and always ready to go abroad, was 
dispatched on the errand. When ho arrived at the mill 
in a more than ordinarily coarse garb, several boys about 
his size began to chirp around him in a most sportive man- 
ner, observing very carefully and speaking rather abruptly 
of his indifferent suit. He very carelessly observed their 
rude and unrelined manner of introducing themselves until 
they began to select one of their heroes to raise a difficulty 
Avith the rustic backwoods-man, and as quick as lightning, 
ajul Avithout any warning, Cullen sprung with great fury 
upon their most robust chap and gave him an uuAvarranta- 
ble flogging. Ever after this, Cullen was knoAvn among the 
lioys of the neighborhood as the master spirit of his age, 
always remembering and repaying homages done him by 
his companions, and never forgetting to retaliate for injuries 
received from his associates ; ahvays ready with both purse 
raid hands, if perchance he should have a fcAV pence, to 
extend assistance to a distressed friend, and Avith an arm 
forever raised against those who had the misfortune of 
doing him an imaginary Avrong. 

His mother was among the most pious of women, a 
devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, always Avhis- 
pering good advice into the ears of a beloved son, AA'hose 
heart had become dumb to her soft and motherly language, 
as the hearts of the antediluvians Avere to the divine preach- 
ings of Father Noah. No pains were ever spared by her to 
cndoT\^ her son Avith that love of knoAAdedge and truth which 
Avould distinguish him from the unlearned countryman ; but 
no knoAvledge could be stored Avhere the faculties Avere per- 
mitted to stray aAvay upon present enjoyment, no worthy 
motiAi-es in vieAV for the future, no ladder of science to be 
climbed, no given point of refinement to be reached, all love 
for the natural arts Avere passed and forgotten as rapidly as 
the Avings of time would ghde him into the future. Some- 
times his father would intrust him to the care of an in- 
structor, but it Avas of very little practical advantage, except 
in penmanship, for Avhich he appeared to possess a natural 
talent. 



LIFE OF (JULLEN BAKEIL 

But that beautiful harmony of sounds peculiar to ortho- 
graphy, and the many rules and examples which have been 
so accurately prepared by eminent scholars to facilitate the 
progress of education, could never be learned by him. 
Those pleasant rules, which are so indispensable to a good 
elocutionist, banished before his memory as the feeble dew 
shrinks and melts into vaj^or befors the beaming rays of a 
summer's sun. No persuasion by either teacher or parents, 
no rehearsal of anecdotes of the rise and progress of learned 
and distinguished men, could ever arouse his memory or 
brighten his ideas upon the subject of the importance of an 
education. But, to the contrary, his thoughts were, running 
afar off in some remote region, tracing the wild deer, the 
buffalo or the panther, through his meanderous path, and, in 
his imagination, creeping through some dense forest, or 
awaiting at some well known i^ass-way, for the approach of 
some monster, that he might gain the reputation of being 
the noted marksman of the age. 

He would not only jpermit his^ imagination to stray away 
off after the unseen objects, but would himself quit tlio 
silent abode of his father's house and wander away into tho 
solitary regions, surrounded by natures own x^roductioiis^ 
where the fowls of the air were heard to whistle their wild 
notes to the listening trees and echoing hills, where nature 
lives through all its wanton wildness, cautiously, tliougii 
rapidly, would he glide along througli the underbrush, seek- 
ing some remote prominence, or a marked and solitary spot, 
where he could prostrate himself upon the green earih, 
where he could enjoy nature's purest smiles and sleep a 
dreamless night, till the full dawn of another day. He did 
not thus wander away as did Socrates, Frier or Sir Isaac 
Newton, to improve himself in the art of proper articula- 
tion, to watch the various movements of, the bodies whicli 
compose the planetary system, or to gain a more accurate 
knowledge of the laws of attraction and demonstrate the 
great and fundamental principles by which bodies are drawn 
in contact with each other, but to be alone in solitary 
amusement, to shut himsblf out from the finite world, and 
to be the retired subject of a strange, mysterious and retired 
• life. To Cullen's imagination the view appeared sublime, 
like giant castles with lofty towers. The feelings of danger 
would never steal upon him as he cast his eyes toward the 
wild forest. The mightyners of nature and the grandeur oC 
her works could never humble his heart. The half-famished 
black bear fled at his approach, only stopping at a disitancL' 
to look back, and then redoiihlo his '^Hj^^. 



LIFE OF (JULLEN BAKEE- 



CHAPTER II. 

CULLEN GROWS DISSIPATED, QUARRELS A2^D FIGHTS WITH 
HIS COMPA]^IOI\S — HE MARRIES MiSS JaNE PeTTY — RE- 
FORMS TO SOME extent — GROWS WORSE AGAIN — KILLS 

Mr. Baily. 

A few more years and we view Cullen Baker passing from 
boyhood to the riper years of maturity. He may now be 
pictured as a stalwart lad of sixteen with but little refine- 
ment of manners, barely surpassing the unlettered rustic of 
the torrid regions of South America. He was desirous of 
being regarded as the hero of his settlement, and he had so 
far gained this title that every boy in liis neighborhood had 
learned to shun him through fear. 

About the time now represented, 1851, two small villages 
had sprung up within a few miles of Cullen' s father's house, 
by some merchants, and named respectively Courtland and 
Forest Home. For several years they served as places of re- 
sort and public amusement for those who were fond of sport- 
ing, and among that class of people Cullen was one of their 
most frequent visitors. At an early age he learned to imbibe 
too freely that deadly poison which has been the ruin of 
thousands of the human race. He was never so busily en- 
gaged that he could not lay aside his business for a few hours 
sport at either of these places, no matter how - important the 
neglected business might be. 

So well skilled was ho in the art of sporting that very few 
of his comrades were ever known to surpass him in any 
game. He was marked as the unsurpassed rifleman of his 
neighborhood, and the most successful hunter of his age. 

He did not change his boyish freaks as he grew into riper 
years of maturity, but might still have been seen wearing his 
copperas homespun suit hanging carelessly about him, sup- 
ported by a single suspender connected with his pants by 
pegs instead of buttons, not from any neglect on the part of 
his mother or sisters, for they never failed to do their duty, 
but from a strange and natural desire to be odd, with a 
slouch hat, coat and shoes, if the weather required them, 
usualy composed his clothing even at th6 'Ag,(i which he is 
now represented. , 

By the time Cullen had become eighteen years of age, lie 
had grown exceedingly quarrelsome and disagreeable, even 
with his old associates, with Avhoin he would have difficulties. 

On a certain occasion while on a spree at Forest Home, he 
tinned his part of the fnii to ah old genUeman, who by Jif^i- 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. u 

detifc Ijiippeiicd to be the unfortuiiiilc victim of bjst apori. 
After harrassing the old man in every perceivable nmnner, 
merely for his own sport, he procured a rod, some say, "with 
a bug- on the end of it," and undertook to drive the old man 
liome. At lirst the crowd was greatly amused at the idea of 
a boy driving an old man from town. But Cullcn was not 
easily discouraged; the blood Hashed to his face, his temper 
rose beyond his control, his eyes flashed like hre, and the 
harsh woi'ds streamed from his mouth in sentences too im- 
perative to bo misunderstood. His actions showed that he 
was in earnest, and the by-standers twisted their faces into 
different shai^es when they saw him begin to force his sub- 
ject to strike a trot, and allow him to neither accelerate nor 
retard his motion, but to keep up a continuous and uniform 
movement of his feet while ho was catching his horse and 
preparing to leave town. His disposition was so well known 
by all his acquaintances that none dared to approach him 
upon the subject of his maltreatment of the old gentleman, 
for fear of sharing the same or perhaps a worse fate. 

A short time after the above difficulty occurred he got into 
a row with some of the most fearless and intrepid subjects of 
the country, and a general fight ensued. Several persons 
were engaged on either side; knives, pistols and tomahawks 
were drawn; the cry of "victory or death" might have been 
heard from various parts of the enraged crowd; the clashing 
of knives and the filing of pistols broke forth upon the si- 
lence of an evening twilight, and caused the cry of murder 
to be heard in the surrounding country. 

Cullen, by accident, hax)pened to get his man singled off 
to himself, and was pelting him on every side. About the 
time Cullen was going to abandon his subject and shout 
over his victory, or i)erhai)s assist a friend to subdue a foe, 
he was suddenly surprised at being attacked by a stalwart 
double-fisted representative of the human race who had just 
conquered his man, and seeing Cullen' s success he deter- 
mined to make it a dear thing, and bounding upon him Uke 
a hawk upon a chicken, and after clubbing him for some time 
like a giant would a boy, he seized a tomahawk which had 
been twisted from some poor wretches hand and gave Cullen 
a blow upon the head which brought him almost lifeless to 
the ground, where he remained, bleeding very freely, until 
the fight was over, when his friends removed him to a neigh- 
boring house where he received the necessary domestic and 
medical attention. In a few weeks he was again able to be 
up, but it was several months before liis wounds were entirely 
cured. 

During his affliction his past life and disorderly eoaduct 



]n LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. 

weighed licavily upon his mind — tlie many dangers ho had 
barely escaped were brought fresh upon his memory, and he 
was not long in deciding that like Obidah he had taken the 
wrong x^ath in the morning of his life, and was being led far 
into the dismal deserts of an unprofitable existence, and to 
retrace his steps was impossible; but, perhaps, thought he, 
there may be a kind of by-way which will finally lead into 
the right path, and when once found should never be forsaken. 

After prostrating himself and commending his case to the 
God of Troubles and Affliction, (for he had hitherto known 
no other), he determined to look out for a new and plainer 
path. For a time the shackles of tyranny and heroism were 
thrown aside, his parents were proud to see him abandon the 
company of such characters as had long been his delight, 
and seek new associates from the better families of the 
country. Early in the month of January, 1 854, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Jane Petty, a young lady, seventeen years of 
age, with whom he had been acquainted many years. His 
parents being exceedingly well pleased with his choice took 
great j)ains to settle him in Mfe. For eight months after 
his marriage he lived a quiet and peaceable life. His head, 
which was bandaged at the time he was married, from 
wounds received a few months before, had by this time en- 
tirely healed. 

Just at the time when his friends and the best people of the 
country were beginning to have unbounded confidence in his 
reformation, he began to forget his solemn vows, to keep bad 
company, and visit places of amusement. It was not long 
before he was again engaged in other difficulties. He met 
his old associates at Forest Home, and he soon became quar- 
relsome and dissipated. He endeavored to carry his point 
with that vim of power which placed him in a position to be 
a strong friend or a deadly foe to every one with whom he 
was acquainted. 

On a certain occasion, when at Forest Home, under the 
influence of intoxicating spirits, in order to show his unsur- 
passed power over the human race, he alternately mounted 
old men and boys and made them carry him through the 
street, pecking them upon the head Avith a knife or pistol, 
and guided them by his own command. So great was their 
fear of him that none dared to oppose him, but would quietly 
submit to his will until his desires (for he had no conscience) 
were fully gratified, when they were permitted by him to go 
in peace. 

It was not long before he got into another and a very Se- 
rious difficulty with an orphan boy by the name of Stallcup. 
In the month of August, 1854, he met the boy in Fore!?t. 



LIFE OF aVLLEN BAKEli. li 

Home, ^vhen he took down a leather whip from Mr. Moore's 
store and whipped the boy, not only severely, but uimierci- 
fully, in the presence of several persons, many of whom arc 
still living and can testify to the fact. Some parties being 
highly displeased with this outrage persuaded the boy to 
have him arrested and arraigned before the civil authorities; 
which the boy did with the assistance of some of the leading- 
characters of the country. Others, who viewed tlie future 
more carefully, and fearing that bad enough would be made 
worse, persuaded the boy to withdraw his suit and leave the 
settlement until Cullen's anger was cooled down, which the 
boy promised to do; but others who believed in a strict en- 
forcement of the law, begged him to jirosecute the case and 
have the accused brought to justice. 

When the day of trial came on several witnesses, who had 
been previously summoned, appeared at the court house, and 
among them was Mr. Baily, a liighly esteemed citizen, an 
aged man, and the head of a large family. He was brought 
upon the stand as a witness against the defendant, and gave 
in his testimony accordingly. 

After the court adjourned Mr. Baily returned home, and 
was soon busily engaged about his domestic affairs, perhaps 
not thinking anything about the case which had been on 
hand that day. But Cullen did not so easily forget it. The 
determination to seek revenge was weighing heavily upon 
his mind, and if he could not obtain it from one source ho 
would from another. 

About one hour after Mr. Baily arrived home Cullen rode 
up to him in the lot where he was feeding his horses, for it 
was then twilight, and accosted the old gentleman, telling 
him that he was going to shoot him. This declaration alarmed 
the family and caused the wife and children to ruii out of the 
house to see what was the matter. Mr Ba^ily having no 
chance to get away, placed himself behind a small post for 
protection, and begged Cullen not to shoot him. Cullen told 
him he did not intend to kill him, ho only wanted to shoot 
him in the legs to see him jump, and ordered him to step 
from behind the post and submit to tlie sentence Vvhich had 
been passed against him; and upon Mr Baily 's refusal to do 
as he was ordered, Cullen theatened to shoot him through 
the head.* 

This threat brouglit Mr Baily from behind the post, and 
placed him in full view of the villian, who raised his 
fowling-piece with as much solicitude as if he had been going 
to shoot a beef ; and with great accuracy discharged a.dou- 
ble-load of shot and ball, which lodged in tlie lower extremi- 
ties of his poor victim, who fell prostrated upon Wxq. gi-onud, 



15 LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. 

in the midst of his distressed family. Mr Baily's son, who 
happened to arrive in the yard about that time, and seeing 
the disaster, ran into the house and procured a gun, but upon 
his reurn to the scene of action, he found that Cullen Baker 
had fled, leaving behind him a sack of meal which he was 
taking home. 

The young man followed some distance, but he being a 
foot and Cullen a horse-back, the latter gained on him so fast 
that he soon abandoned the pursuit, and returned home to 
take care of his father whom he found mortally wounded, and 
knowing that he could not hve long remained at home and 
waited on him t^l he died, which was only two or three days 
after he was shot, which occurred October 8 th, 1854. 

As soon as Mr Baily was buried, his son procured the ser- 
vices of a friend and started in search of Cullen who was 
still in the settlement, keeping himself concealed; but upon 
learning that Mr Baily was dead and he was being pursued, 
he left the country and traveled westward, followed by the 
parties before mentioned. 

They traveled for several days and finally arrived in the 
same settlement where Cullen was stopping, but upon hear- 
ing of his pursuers he left, without leaving any track or 
trail by which he c-ould be followed. And thus ended the 
conquest. 



CHAPTER III. 

Cullen llETUli^•s a>^d takes his Wife to Pekry Couk- 
TY, Arkansas, — She dies July, 2nd, 18G0, — He kills 
Mr. Wartham — Marries his second Wipe — Enters 
the Confederate Army — Kills a negro woman in 
Sevier County — IJills a negro boy in Lafayette 
County — Kills a negro man in Little Rock — Leaves 
Little Rock, and is captured by the Jayhawkers — 
He becomes one of their number. 

Cullen did not leturn home until the fall of 1850, having 
been absent about two years, during which time none of the 
family, nor awj one else in the neigliborhood, knew anything 
of his whereabouts, though it was generally svipposed that 
he remained in North-west Texas during the entire time. 
As soon as he arrived in the old settlement again the author- 
ities were in pursuit of him, but did not succeed in arresting 
him, for he k- ft I ho country very soon jud lied to parts mi- 
kno\sii, 

/ 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. 13 

After another absence of two years he returned home 
again, took his wife and went to Perry County, Arkansas, 
where (as it was afterwards ascertained) he remained during 
the second two years of his absence. It was not even at 
this time publicly known where he was, the greater portion 
of the community was still in ignorance as to his place of 
destination. He and his wife lived in Perry County about 
one and a half years, when the latter died, leaving an only 
child, a daughter, about three years of age. According to 
the record obtained, she died July 2nd, 1800. 

Soon after she was buried, Cullen took his daughter and 
returned to the Sulpher country, and left her with Mr. Hub- 
bard Petty, her grandfather, who was living near Line 
Ferry. As soon as he got rid of his daughter he returned to 
Perry County, Avhere he became connected with some very 
serious difiiculties. On a certain occasion he got drunk and 
went to Mr. Wartham's with the intention of whipping Mrs. 
Wartham, but upon arriving at the house he found no per- 
son at home, and supi^osing the lady, the object of his 
search, to be at his uncle's, Thomas Young, he proceeded to 
go there, procuring several good switches on the way. 
When he arrived at Mr. Young's he found the lady standing 
on the galleiy, and stci)ping up to her he plainly intimated 
his business. Her husband, Mr. Wai-tham, who was in the 
yard, a few paces from the gallery, hearing his threats, 
informed him that he could not whip his wife without flrst 
whipping him, an<l immediately started to his wife's as- 
sistance. AVhen ^Ir. Wartham arrived' on the edge of the 
gallery, Cullen pushed him off. telling him that he might as 
well be (fiiiet, for lie intended to whip his wife at all hazards. 
Mr. AVartham boing a resolute, though quiet and well- 
<lisposed, gentleman, mounted the gallery the second time 
in defense of his wife, but was again jjushed to the 
ground with a drawn pistol at his brea>st. When the 
pistol was drawn the i'amily scatt^n-ed, ^Iv. Johnson and 
wife started to tlu^ opposite side of the h<^>\ise, while Mr. 
Young's daughter, who was groM'n, took the children, her 
brothers and sisters, and left the jolace. Mrs. Wartham ran 
into the house, Cullen returned his pistol to the scabbard 
and pursued -her, with a full deterniination to punish her 
severely. Her husband followed them into the house, still 
trying to protect his wife, he seized Cullen jus»t when he ^^^^s 
l)eginning to whip her, and being a stouter man than Cullen 
held him, and Avould not allow him to strike her any more, 
telling .Cullen that he did not wish to hurt him. he only 
asked him to abandon his evil intentions and leave the place, 

Cnlk-n would not {t»j;ite to leave without whipping' the lady; 



J 4 LIFE OF (JULLFM BAEEli. 

lie jst i-uggled and tried to get loose ; lie also made an eftbrt to 
get his pistol again, but Mr. AVarthani being the stouter 
man would not allow him to have it. After a considerable 
contest, Culleii remembered a dirk which had been care- 
fully concealed about his body, and his enemy not suspecting 
danger from any other source endeavored only to keep him 
from obtaining his pistol. As soon as an opportunity 
favored, he drew the deadly -weapon from its resting place, 
and, in an instant, with all the power that he could command 
drove the blade into the body of his antagonist. 

The point entered his vitals. The laws of nature are fixed 
and death was inevitable. His hands let loose the strong- 
grip upon CuUen's body, and fell motionless by his side, the 
blood gushed from the wound in a stream too large to be 
subdued, his eyes were sunk in their sockets, and deatli 
stared him in the face. He ran out of the house and fell 
dead upon th(^ ground. 

The civil authorities were informed of this outrage, and 
used every means in their power to arrest him and have him 
brought to justice, but it all amounted to nothing, he was 
on the alert, and to take him when he was aware of their 
intentions was almost impossible. As soon as he could par- 
tially arrange his individual matters, he left Perry County, 
Arkansas, and returned to his old home in Cass County, 
Texas. 

This was more then six years after the murder of Baily, 
whose family and relations had scattered abroad, and Cullen 
was permitted to remain in the country where he had com- 
mitted such an outrage without being molested by either 
civil officers or private citizens. For about two years he lived 
a very quiet, peacable and industrious life. He frequently 
spoke of his past career, which he called his misfortunes, in 
a light that would have caused the most obstinate hearts to 
sympathize with him. During this time, the civil portion of 
his life, he associated with the better class of people, and 
had to some extent gained their confidence and esteem. 

About the first of July, 18G2, Cullen was married to his 
^:econd wife. Miss Martha Foster, oldest daughter of William 
and Elizabeth Foster. 

Soon after this, his second marriage, he entered the ranks 
of the Confederate army as a private soldier, and it is from 
this period that the second great era of his life was com- 
menced. The author of of tlie Days Doings, in romancing 
upon the bloody deeds of this noted and mysterious subject, 
represents his character from boyhood to the fatal hour when 
grim-visaged war stalked into our country, as being unex- 
ccptioned; but a careful perusal of the preceeding pages,tho 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. l-'. 

coiTeclness of -which is bcj^ond doubt, thows a different color- 
ing vipon his earlier life. He further adds, " when the shrill 
trumpet sounded to arms the braves of tlie south, Cullen 
Baker fired by a true patriotic devotion to the land of his 
birth, forsook the pursuits of civil life, and promptly shoulder- 
ed his musket in the ranks, side by side with the young men 
who grown up to manhood with him, " The date of his 
entering the army, will plainly convince the intelligent reader, 
that it was the " Conscript Act," and no love for his bleed- 
ing and bed-ridden country that forced him into ranks. 

Cullen, very bravely, marched with his command to the 
city of Little Eock, when he began to "• play out," as tlie 
soldiers expressed it, when a man commenced trying for 
details, or failed to work well in ranks. Neither did he 
bother himself much about details, when he wanted to 
leave the command he mounted his horse and rode away 
in the presence of his oflicers. 

He went home several times during the year; after re- 
maining there a few days he would return to the command 
and report for duty, without being molested. 

On a certain occasion, while in Sevier County, and on 
his w^aj'- home from Little Rock, he met some emigrants 
that were travelling in a w^agon, and among them was a 
negress whose looks he did not much admire, and without 
any hesitation or threats, he raised his gun and shot lier 
dead, and rode away, leaving her in the wagon wliere he 
killed her, w^ithout making any apologies to her master, 
who was greatly mortified at his loss. Cullen, fearing 
that he would be pursued, rode all the following night ; he 
swam Little River, Red River and Sulpliur, arriving at 
home by sun-up the next morning. 

Cullen did not return- to the army any more, but re- 
mained at home and made a crop that year, which wa.^ 
1863. Early in the summer he became otfendedat a negro 
boy belonging to the estate of Ira Pugh, and accoixling 
to the dictates of his passions, he went to Mr. Walters, 
where the boy w\as employed, caught and tied him, and 
proceeded to the forest to get some hickories to whip him. 
IVhile he was gone the negro unloosed himself and ran 
away. When Cullen returned to where he left him tied 
he was not there, but could be seen in the distance making- 
tracks as fast as possible. Cullen drew his pistol and shot 
at him three or four times, but without any effect ; he could 
not hit him, lieithcr could he make him come baclc, consc- 
(luently he was forced to abandon the pursuit and return 
home, acknowledging that he had been completely out- 
generaled. 

Mr. Walters fearing that Cullen would attack the negro 
again, took him nci-oss Sulphur into nnothor sottlomont. 



10 LIFE OF aULLEN BAN f: 11. 

and left him in the cnrc of a rchitivo. It wa.s not lung be- 
fore Cullen heard where lie was o'one. and started in pur- 
suit of him. AVlicn lie arrived in the settlement where the 
negro was .stoi)ping", he inqnired about him, and upon 
learning where he was employed, started there in great 
haste. Jnst before arriving at the house he saw tlie negro 
and a white boy coming along the road, driving an ox- 
wagon. As soon as the negro saw CuUen and recognized 
him. he dismounted from the wa«:on and ran into the 
woods. Cullen foUoAved close at his heels, and as soon as 
he overtook him be shot six balls into his body, leaving 
him upon the ground a mangled corpse. 

During the fall and winter tlie enrolling oni<,-ers got 
after the conscripts so closely, tinit Cullen and several 
others were forced into Sulphur bottom to keep from being 
captured and put into the army, lie kept himself con- 
cealed for several months without being discovered by 
(3itlier the authorities or the cavalry, and the latter were 
riding day and night in search of deserters and conscripts. 
Cullen ro'ughed it out until the spring of 18G4, when he 
was pursued so closelj'^ that he was forced to leave the 
country or be captured, and of course he chose the former. 

In the month of March he mounted his black steed, with 
a supply of arms and ammunition, bid the little Confed- 
eracy adieu, and bravely rode through the enemies' lines 
to Little Rock, which was in possession of the Federal 
authorities. When he arrived there he took the oath of 
allegiance, and got cmi^loyment as overseer of freedmcn. 
Soon after he commenced business in his new sphere of 
life, he became offended at one of the negroes under his 
care, and without any consideration he drew a six-shooter 
and shot the negro dead. Knowing that tlie Federal 
authorities would attend to his case if he remained there, 
lie took advantage of the first opportunity to leave, which 
was between dark and daylight. He went directly to his 
uncle, Thomas Young, in Perry County, the same identi- 
cal place where he killed Mr. Wartham a few years before. 

One day shortly after his arrival in Peny Count}', while 
he w'as riding out with his uncle, they were suddenly and 
unexpectedly overhauled by a military squad, styling 
themselves " Independent Rano'crs." Cullen Avas accusecl 
by them of being a Federal, and it was not Avithout much 
pleading that he escaped being shot. They guarded him 
very closely for several days, when he concluded to enlist 
with them and become one of their number, to which the 
captain consented and had him duly initiated, but he was 
closely watched for sometime, and not permitted to be 
absent from the company without an attendant, whose 
duty W' as to watch him lest he might take fright and run 
awav. But he was so punctual aHd attentive tfeat all fears 



/.//'7i OF CLJ.1J'..\ JJAK/'Jll. li 

fdliis Cocu]io wore (juiekl} rorgottcii, and lie was ooon ac- 
kiiowledgf^d l)y them as bciii;^,' their most siicces.sfal jiiy- 
hawker. It is" fur beyond the power of man to record tlie 
many bloody deeds committed by him durini;- the; f(!V.' 
months that he remained M'itli thislawless band, lie was 
so well pleased with ids new situation that nothing coidd 
induce him to leave the command. His desire for plunder 
had grown so great tliat liomo and all its enjoyments were 
soon forii'Dtteii. 



CHAPTER IV. 

("UI-LEN Muin>KKS SOME PARTIES OX SaLIXE Ih\ El? — KiLLS 

Several Persons — Captures ax I.mmexse Booty — 
Starts South with his Prize—Is Pursued — Prop- 
erty Retaken— IIeturxs to Davis County, Texas- 
Starts again for the Mountains — Cullen's Wife 
GOES TO Perry County in Search of her Husband — 
They^ Return to Lafay^ette County after the Sur- 
render — CuLLEN Returns Property Taken by his 

(.'ONFE derates. 

About the month of October, 18G4, several persons left 
Perry County to emigrate south in order to get out of the 
jayhawking country. When Cullen heard that they were 
"leaving he took a aquad and pursued them to Saline River, 
and reached tlie bank as they were embarking to cross. 
He hailed the leader and ordered him to surrender-. Ho 
refused to do it, at the same time demanding his authority 
for stopping him upon the higiiwa}'. Cullen drew his 
authority from his scabbard and shot him deadrti the boat. 
The others surrendered, were marclied back and most 
l)rn tally murdered. 

This, and a few other brutish exploits, gained Cullen a 
re])utation that placed him at the head of the command, 
tlie principal object of which was to plunder, capture and 
confiscate property and persons, regardless of politics, 
race, color or previous condition. Every man who owned 
a good mule, or a fat horse was a Union man, so-called, or 
a •• sccesh," as the case might be, for they were either ac- 
cording to circumstances. 

Soon after the great massacre just spoken of, Cullen 
with a small stpiad of men, whose characters were far be- 
low any comparison, most of wiiom are now dead, captured 
and killed live or six of the best citizens of that country, 
after which they burned their houses and drove innocent 
Avomeii and children from their homes late in the fall 
wken the frest had stripped the forest of its green foliage. 



IS LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER, 

and left the j)Oor victims wiiliout any shelter from tiie 
bleak storms that so frefxiiently visit the mountainous por- 
tion of the south-west, not allowing them even to take a 
seeond suit of t-lothing made by their own fair hands. . 

When the thieves succeeded in killing or driving from 
their homes the best citizens of the country, they captured 
all the wagons, mules and other stock that they could find, 
and after loading them Avith various kinds of goods, chat- 
tels and produce, besides a quantity of clothing belonging 
to women and children that had tied to the woods for 
safety. They started with all their immense stores and 
rich spoils to the south, known by them as the land of 
Dixie. 

The caravan with all its luxuries moved to the south as 
rapidly as circumstances and the condition of the country 
would admit, scarcely stopping to camp at night. But 
soon the rear-guard and pickets brought in the unwelcome 
intelligence that they were being pursued by a strong and 
superior force, and Avould, in all probability, be overtaken. 
Knowing their inability to stand a general engagement, 
which would be likely to ensue if they failed to surrender 
or return the property, the thieves made use of the first 
opportunity to save themselves. They did not consult 
long what course to pursue. They were so panic-stricken 
that they fled in various directions, leaving the mules and 
wagons, with all their immense stores to be retaken by 
the proper owners, carrying off" only such goods as they 
could hastily pack on their saddle-horses. * The affrighted 
party traveled in various directions, some north, some 
south, some east, and some west, almost regardless of roads, 
every man endeavoring to get out of that country where 
thieves were no longer iDcrmitted to remain. 

Cullen, with three or four comi^anions, set out for the 
Sulphur country. They arrived in the old settlement 
where Cullen was raised, within a few days. It was now 
Davis County, instead of Cass, the name having been 
changec} during the rebellion. Shortly after their arrival 
in Texas the news of their conduct followed them. When 
MathewPowel, Cullen's brother-in-law, heard of his crimes 
in the mountains, as that portion of the country was com- 
monly designated where Cullen operated, he was so com- 
pletely disgusted Avith him that he determined to sever all 
connection with him and his notorious clan; and remarked 
that " Cullen would be a disgrace to him and all his con- 
nection." When Cullen heard of this remark he threatened 
to "throw a chunk of lead against his old bald head." 

Mr. Powell fortified himself and awaited an attack, well 
prepared to defend himself against a score or more of his 
cowardly associates. CuUen's stay in Davis and Lafayette 
Counties wa-^ brief and unpleasant. He visited only the 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. 10 

most remote and obscure portions of the eoiintr}' ; liis con- 
(luct did not meet tlie approval of his old neighbors; he 
received a cordial welcome from none, except a few of his 
scouting associates. Cullen returned to the mountains 
a<niin about the month of December, 1SG4. and made an 
effort to reorsfanize his old command, but did not succeed 
until January or February, 18G5. About this time Cullen's 
wife, who was still living^ with her father near Line Ferry, 
lieard that her husband had been captured and taken to 
Little Eoclv; wliere he would be court-martialed, and in all 
probability' shot. She was a determined and resolute 
woman, under •nineteen years of age, and in line health. 
Her education was quite limited, but her natural facilities 
and unsurpassed demeanor placed her high in the circle of 
female accomplishments. She did not stay at Jiome and 
mourn over the sad condition of her unfortunate husband, 
as many women of better means and far greater traveling- 
facilities would have done, but mounted a favorite animal, 
one of the SAviftest since the days of Claude Duval's bonnie 
Black Bess, and left her father's house on the oth of Feb- 
ruary, telling her mother that she was going to a neighbor- 
ing: house to spend the night. The evening* was cloudy 
and cold ; the sky was already overwhelmed with vaporous 
•douds that threatened to pour out torrents of rain almost 
instantly. To prevent any suspicions of her intentions, 
she wore a suit of very ordinary homespun clothes, and, 
owing to the inclemency of the weather, which, no doubt, 
she had an qye to, her mother advised her to take her cloak 
to which she very readilj^ consented. As soon as she was 
out of sight of her father's house she could no longer yield 
to what she knew to be her parent's wishes, but permitted 
the volcano of love for her husband to send forth Its lava in 
.such fullness, that she could no longer remain at home 
with the thought that her husband was in a Federal prison 
awaiting his trial for murder. AMth one gentle move- 
ment of the reins she turned her steed in the direction of 
Little Eock, and within half an hour she was SAviftly glid- 
ing through the wild and pathless deserts of Sulphur bot- 
tom. TliTe forked lightning was beginning to flash in 
everj^ direction, followed by loud peals of thunder, which 
appeared to change the elements into nothing but tire and 
noise. Manj'' a woman of far more experience would have 
declined "the trip, and endeavored to retrace her steps to 
her father's house for shelter, while she pushed forward 
through the angry storm and beating rain, although night 
had already overtaken her, and she was yet several miles 
trom any habitation. It was not until a late hour that she 
stopped for refreshment and sleep. Very early next morn- 
ing she directed her course towards Centre Point, where 
she had some friends who could probably give her some 



^0 LIFE OF (JULLEN BAKER. 

information abont lier unfortunate husband. But upon 
arriving at Centre Point she could not learn anything 
about him except that he passed through tliere a few weeks 
before on his wny to the mountains to "reorganize his com- 
mand. She was not yet satisfied to rctiirn without further 
information from her husband, and supposing that Mr. 
Young, who resided in Perry County, might know more 
about him she started for his Iiouse. By this time the raii; 
had ceased, or rather turned into a violent snow-storm, 
and slie was compelled to travel over a deserted and deso- 
lated countrj' for many miles, which had been laid waste 
l)y one or the other of the contending aMnies, and the re- 
maining spoils taken by a band of thieves and jajdiawkers. 
Nothing but cold and desolation stared her in the face; 
but she pushed forward with renewed energy and a de- 
. termined spirit. Xothing could daunt her undertaking. 
For thirty-six hours slie^traveled AVithout being able to 
obtain any refreshments for either herself or horse ; when 
night came on Avith all its gloom, and in a strange lan(l 
she tied her favorite animat to a post and consigned her- 
self to the frozen eartli. Avhicli Avas covered Avith snow, Avith 
no bedding except her cloak and saddle-ldanket, Avhich 
she spread upon the gi-ound by a pine-knot lire Avhich she 
liad made, and carefully guarded herself and horse until 
morning AvJien she again proceeded on her journey. A 
feAV more days' ride brougiit her to Mr. Young's, in Perry 
County, a distance of OA-er two hundred miles from her 
father's liouse, and here she lieard from Culjen, and to her 
great satisfaction lie Avas in the immediate neigh]>or]iood, 
and had never been captured by the authorities. 

When Cullen came to liis uncle's and saw his Avife, lie 
was much displeased at lier coming, and remarkerl to her 
in the presence of the family : - 1 wisli you iiad ])een so 
sick Avhen you started that you coidd not move Jiand or 
foot, and maybe you Avould liave sta^'cd at home. Avherc 
you ought to be. ' She told him to let her liave a liorse 
and she Avould return, but lie w ouhl not consent to it. She 
remained at Mr. Young's several montlis while Cullen Avas 
scouting tiirougli tiie mountains. lie jiartialiy rcoi-ganiz(M! 
his command (lui-ing tlie latter part of tlie winter, and in 
the spring made several raids upon other scouting ])arties. 
and fr('qe!itly attacked the ouli^osts of tlie main a'rmies. 
Scvernl of jiis b(;st men, acv-or/iing to his (»a\ n account. 
Avere'(!itlicr caj)t.nrcd or killed during the spring campaign, 
but he still conmuiiKlcd a force suhleient to stand his 
ground. 

Shortly after the arm}^ of the trans-Mississippi depart - 
inent surrend(;red, ("ullen an<l Ills Avife then mounted their 
horses and rode to their Jiouies on the Sulphur, a distance 
of tAvo [lundred miles. A few davs after ('ullen arrived at 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. PA 

home some of his associates returned to their homes in 
Davis Count}', having been lost from the conimand several 
Aveeks. 

About the month of July. 1865. Cullen was going" to Jef- 
ferson, Texas, in .companj" with some of his neigiil)ors, 
Avhen he met some of his mountain companions who were 
driving some horses and cattle, lie did not question tliem 
about "the stock, but supposing tliat they had been duly 
captured, he rode on without making any inquiry. When 
he arrived at Mrs. Drew's farm, near JeiVerson, he stopped 
for some purpose, when lie was informed that some parties 
had that very morning taken several head of stock from 
the farm, calling themselves Cullen Baker, but some mem- 
bers of the family being personally acquainted vvith Cullen 
contended that he was not with the party; and wiien Cul- 
len himself rode up he was instantly recognized, and very 
readily informed of the outrage that had been committed 
upon them by the higliway robbers, styling themselves 
Cullen Baker. Cullen expressed himself displeased witli 
their conduct, and promised to see that the property was 
returned, for which services the pro^jrietors agreed to com- 
pensate liim M'ell. Pleased with the prosj^ect of a liberal 
reward, and a chance to regain his character to some ex- 
tent, he went immediately to the rogues, took the i>roperty 
in possession, cursed them for stealing on his credit, and 
returned it to the proper owners. 

This act gained Cullen a reputation that was not easily 
broken down. It was so contradictory to liis former acts 
that many people were forced to stop and retlect wheth(M- 
or not it was the same Cullen Baker, wliose daring deed.< 
and insatiable thirst for human Inood had gained him such 
a notoriety in the soutli-west. But, perJiaps, some thiid< 
he is not so bad as represented; if tiiC truth could go 
abroad witli all its llowery comments, he might in; a genei-- 
ous man. Bnt not so; this is the same identical Cullen 
Baker, whos(^. lawless acts have, for more tlian a. half score 
years, gained ]iim an :i{ii)cl]atloii ;;< imperislia)>le as time. 



rnAi'THiJ V. 

ClILLKX E.tDKAVOKS TO KsTAULl.sU A I'KKK^ AT MlSlI 

ISLAXi). liUT Fails — Hi-} >[o\ es to Link Fj;ri{V — His 
Secoxt) WiFK Dues — 11k TiUKS TO Makiiy Acain — Has 
A DiKFicrr/rv with Tiios. Oku — Stkai-s two CuAins 

FROM A ScHOOL-IlOirSK — A COM.AnTTKK AlSlTS Hl.M To 

Know his FuTURf] Ixtkxtioxs. 

Late in the fall of 18C5, Cullen moved on ^lush Island, a 
ihody ofh-ind entirely siirroimded by tlie waters oCSulphiii'. 



f,'2 LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. 

which lies some ten miles above I^ine Ferry. He en- 
deavored to establish a ferry at that point, but was soon 
taken sick and gave up the undertaking as a bad job, and 
returned with his wife to Mr. Foster's, where they re- 
mained until about January 10th, 1866, wlien they removed 
to Line Ferr}% a distance of four miles in low water, and 
took charge of the ferry at* that place. 

About the first of Marcli" following Cullen's wife died, 
after a short illness, and was buried in the family grave- 
yard near their residence. In that graA^e he appeared to 
"bury his senses, his reason, and his remaining respect for 
the human race. A few weeks after her death he dressed 
her in effigy, and stood the figure upon the tloor in his 
house. It represented his wife so perfectly that his neigh- 
bors, upon first beholding the image, almost sank under 
the astonishment and fear that the grave had opened And 
the dead come to live. And it was some time before his 
neighbors could induce liim to take it down. 

Two months and seven days after his wife died he visited 
Mr. Foster, and proposed marriage to liis sister-in-law, 
Miss Bell Foster, a girl sixteen years of age. Xo sooner 
was the x^roposition made than it was rejected by her, and 
this was the beginning and the end of their courtship. A 
full chapter might be written upon his conduct and treat- 
ment of his second wife : however that Avill be omitted, Ijut 
if f>arents ever rejoiced at the death of their child^ it must 
have been when Cullen's wife died. 

About tlie first of June, Tliomas Orr, a j'oung man who 
was boarding with Mr. Foster and teaching school in the 
settlement, had occasion to cross the Sulphur at Line 
Ferry. He had' been stopping at Mr. Foster's about four 
months, having gone into that neigliborhood at Cullen 
Baker's request about the last of Januar3% while he was" 
prospecting for a school. Cullen Baker and Thomas Orr 
liad met on several occasions, at various times and places, 
since their first acquaintance, which the latter represents 
in his card concerning the difiiculties betvreen himself and 
that noted character, as being January 26, 18G6. He further 
states that Cullen treated him vrith great kindness, for a 
stranger, requesting him to come and stay v/ith hi^i when 
not otherwise employed. On the second day of June, 
Thomas Orr rode up to the south bank of Sulphur, at Line 
Ferry, for the purpose of crossing. Cullen being absent, 
having gone to a grocery that morning, John Herring and 
freedman who Avere in his emploj^, came to the boat land- 
ing to ferry him across. The boat had not got more than 
half across when Cullen arrived on tlie north bank with a 
jug of whiskey, minus what he had already consumed, and 
waited there till the boat landed, when he asked Thomas 
Orr to drink with him, which he very kindly refused, and 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKEB. S3 

upon further solicitation to drink he told his friend (for such 
lie considered him) that ho never used it, which Cullen very- 
well knew, but wanted an excuse for a difficulty. He tried 
to force him to drink with him, but did not succeed. He 
then accused him of talking about him, telling him that he 
had heard of his saying that he did not like whisky, nor any 
one who drank it. Orr denied using the latter expression, 
and demanded of Cullen his authority, which he refused to 
give, but said in ^^ry angry terms that he had it from a re- 
liable source, and knew it to be so, at the same time seizing 
his antagonist by the throat and throwing him upon the 
ground, telling him he had said it and he would make him 
acknowledge it. The contest continued for several miftutes, 
and Cullen was getting the best of it, for he was a large, 
stout, healthy man, wliile his opi^onent was exactly the 
reverse, M'ith the additional misfortune of a deformity of the 
right hand, caused by rheumatism, which rendered it almost 
useless ; but he did not make him acknowledge to what he 
knew to be fal-se, though he afterwards boasted of making 
him own it, but j\Ir. Herring, who was present, tells a dif- 
ferent tale which is universally believed to be correct. After 
a considerable tussel Cullen struck Orr on the head with a 
pine limb which brought liim to the ground, Cullen ran 
aboard the boat and rowed away, leaving his victim on the 
bank of Sulphur bleeding. But he soon recovered, mounted 
his steed, the same little bay mare that Cullen' s wife rode to 
the mountains, then belonging to Mr. Foster, and went to Dr. 
Oats' where he had his wounds dressed and received the 
necessary medical attention. His feelings concerning a dif- 
ficulty so unnecessary as that was cannot easily be imagined. 
He was a stranger in the country, having been there but a 
few months, and during that time kept close at his occupa- 
tion, making but few acquaintances outside of his school 
dominion. Previous to this time he knew nothing of Cul- 
len' s character as a desperado, but soon the history of this 
noted character was opened to him, and many hidden things 
brought to hght. No wonder he should tremble at the 
thoughts of being an enemy to a person who was but little 
better than the great^arch-demon of the infernal regions. 
He was astonished at a civil community for allowing such an 
outlaw to reside among them. But after hearing of all his 
midnight assassinations and unscrupulous outrages upon in- 
nocent women and "children, he was not willing to leave the 
subject thus unsettled, and without even knowing why the 
difficulty occurred. He procured a pistol with the intention 
of returning by the same^'route, ]3ut was persuaded by friends 
to return by a different 'ferry. About one month after the 



2/^ LIFE OF CULL EN BAKER. 

uniurtLUiate aftair, Cullcn i>aker ami Leo Barnes Aveiil to tli<? 
school-house ^Yhe^e Thomas Orr was teaching. Cullen de- 
mande'd the amount of ferryage due hmi, which he did not 
wait to receive at the time of their difficulty. After receiving- 
the money he used a gr^at deal of very abusive language, tel- 
ling the teacher in the ]3resence of the school that he had 
told three thousand lies about their difficulty, and if he heard 
of his telling any more he might leave the country or pre- 
pare for death, and if he ever caught him om the mare again 
lie would "shoot Jus head off" smootli with his shoulders," 

As soon as this occurred, two young men, George Couch 
and John Nichols, who professed great friendship towaixl 
Cullen, \[\\\t school and went to live Avit-h him. He had for 
some time been persuading them to quit school but did not 
succeed until he had a ditiiculty with the teacher, and, per- 
haps, made them believe that he would either kill him or 
drive him from the country. 

Toward the latter part of July the following letter was 
received, per George Couch, and is given verhatum et litera- 
i um. 

Line Ferry, Ark., July 20, 1866. 

TiiOAS Orr Sir If you Wish to Teach your School you 
had bitter Bea At It every Day I here of you Beeing fishing 
My Lad you Don't No that my Gizzard is Grinding on Dam 
Lies that you told over the River Dont Let me here of you 
Beaing Absent from that School Any more for It Is all that 
I Can Do to keep from giving you another & good call & if 
I find one thing to Bee So you May Look for me I am Sir 
yours as Mad as Hell till Death. 

Cullen M. Baker. 

Thoas Orr at Hmne' I Dont Want^the friendship Any one 
that you Can turn Against me. 

Govner Orr at Home. 

Many persons were once very fond of boasting on Cullen's 
scholarship, representing him as being a man of great refine- 
ment, a good scholar, with great business qualifications; but 
the above letter, which is a true copy of the original, does 
not display more genius than two well-bred lawyers ought to 
possess. By this time Cullen's conduct had become so 
desperate, that civil and weU disposed citizens could not 
stand it any longer. The justice of the peace was consulted 
but to no effect, for none dared approach him upon the sub- 
ject of his conduct. The good citizens of the country and 
patrons of the school assembled in mass, and began to devise 
some x)lan to settle his conduct or his person, they did not 
care much which. But a single individual opposed harsh 
means, an old and much esteemed g^entleman, whose head 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. 



i^o 



vras biossoming for tlie grave ; and strange as it may appear, 
but none the less true, that he was the- hrst one of that as- 
sembly who fell a victim to this imscrupulous murderer, 
Perhai)s the intercession of a single individual spared the 
life of that noted personage, who liv«tt to murder him who 
begged for his life, 

A committee went to Line Ferry to see him, and to try 
and get some idea of his future intentions, and intimated to 
him that the citizens had met en masse, and had come to the 
conclusion not to submit to such conduct any longer. He 
made some very heavy threats upon being informed of cer- 
tain transactions, but afterwards became reconciled, and 
forwarded a note, of Vv^iich the following is a true copy : 

Line Feery, Ark,, July 27, 18G6. 

I here By scrtify to the Neighbors of Hiett's Bind that I 
will In No Manner Interrupt Nor Bother one Thos Orr fur- 
ther more I Consider my word as good as any Body's or as 
good as the word of Jesus Christ I witness my hand. 

C, M. Bakek. 

The reception of the above liad the desired efiect upon 
some parties, while others knew him too well to place any 
confidence in his promises. Some time afterwards, on a 
Sunday night, Cullen went to the school-house where his 
opponent was teaching, and stole two chairs. Some person 
was with him, but his name is not remembered at present. 
It was not knoAvn who took the chairs until he told it pub- 
licly that he was the person, and other parties need not be 
accused of it. 

About the first of August William Foster received per 
Samuel Couch, one of Cullen's frequent visitors, the follow- 
ing letter : 

Line Ferry, Ark., July 29, 18G6. 

Mr. Foster Dear Sir Dear Father as I should say for you 
have Bin a father to me So has Mrs. Foster Bin a Mother 
But I Recken you Both have Resind to Bee any more there- 
fore I think It In vain to Ever Look for Either of you here 
any more and Whereas I have Bin Requested to Inform you 
of a Matter Concerning some Pills that the Old Man Bevel 
Requested you to take In Charge some years ago that he 
had Left with some one Near Bright Star he Wanted you to 
send the IVFoney for them here -io me So lie Could get It 
or Leave "NVord What you Done about them as he will be 
here Soon again. 

Mr. Foster It Is very hard for me to Bear and how Is ]| 
that t>ne Can throw away an old friend for a New one Mrs 
Foster has surely here tofore bold Me as_a friend But she if; 
now L.aboving under a widr Mir4al;o or Wanting me to ].ui 



fS6 LIFE OF CULLEN BAKEB. 

on that that Dont fit me and wear It In Behalf of that Damd 
Orr She Cannot think that I am mistaken In a matter of 
that kind that had such an impression on my Mind as that 
Did If I had Killed Jesus Christ It would Not Raised half 
the Excitement this jnatter has I hope and Pray to Live the 
ten months out and Keep my Same mind for I am not a Ne- 
gro Neither am I bound In this Country I No that I am a 
Liar a Drunkard and a Devil But I never tell Lies on my 
friends. 

the matter Raised Between us the other Day has give Me 
No Little Trouble But as I sayd In a Note to Orr I dont 
Want the friendship of any One that he In any maimer Can 
turn against Me I commenced in trouble and End In the 
same Hoping to see the 15th day of December 

C. M. BAKER^ 

Wm. Foster Hyettes Bend, Arks 

The above letters require no comments. A little explana- 
tion and reflection will be sufficient, and only a little of the 
former will be necessary. It appears that in his first dif- 
ficulty with Mr. Orr he plainly insinuated, though he did 
not positively say, that Mrs. Foster was the person who in- 
formed him of a slanderous report, which the accused denied 
circulating. When Mrs. Foster went to see him about it, 
he told her that John Nichols told him of it, when Mr. Fos- 
ter went to see John Nichols about it, he knew nothing con- 
cerning it. He supposed the school to end December 15th, 
but in this he was mistaken, ten scholastic months from 
January 28th would end November 3d, the time that the 
school closed. 



CHAPTER VI. 

CuLLEis Baker Goes to Mk. FosTEii'S to Kill Thomas 
Orr, rut Fails — Thomas Orr goes to Day's Creek 
Bridge to Kill Cullen Baker but does kot Suc- 
ceed — Cullen Baker visits Arkansas and kills and 

WOUNDS several DOGS — CULLEN BaKER KILLS Mr. RoW- 

den and some Freedmen IN Davis County — The Fede- 
rals go in Pursuit op Him. 

Cullen could not wait until December 15th, the time set 
apart by him, according to the last chapter, to perform his 
bloody deed; but on November 3d ho concluded that his 
competitor had lived long enough, and he would put an end 
to ]iis existence. He accordingly armed himself cap-a-pit, 



LIFE OF CVLLEN BAKER. fll 

md started for Mr. Foster's alone, except his bodyguard, 
which consisted of five largo mastiffs. On nearing the 
lionse he deployed his skirmishers and sent out an advance 
guard, which consisted of a detail carefully selected from his 
body guard, while he and the balance of the dogs brought 
up the rear. When his command was turned into the yard, 
they surrounded the house in great haste, particularly the 
pantry and kitchen, closely followed by Cullen , who, after 
being fully satisfied that his competitor was not at home, 
proceeded to make diligent search in and about the premises, 
after which he blowed his horn, called off his dogs and quit 
the drive without the loss of a single veteran. 

School closed the evening before, and Mr. Orr having no 
further business there, had left that morning and gone to 
where his services were required. But upon learning what 
took place on the day previously mentioned, he proceeded to 
lay his complaint before a justice of the peace, and also the 
sheriff of the county, and upon being denied assistance by 
both parties, he hastened to make the best of it that he 
could. He went to Day's creek bridge, four miles from 
Line Ferry on the Rond's road, where he expected Cullen 
would pass about December 30th, on his way to Lewisville 
to rent Line Ferry. He remained there until the afternoon, 
when he was discovered by some of Cullen' s friends who 
were going in that direction, and being satisfied that his 
whereabouts would be made known to Cullen, considered it 
unnecessary to remain there any longer. Cullen, however, 
did not hear of it as soon as was expected, and within fifteen 
minutes after the bridge was evacuated, Cullen crossed on it 
and went to IMr. Mayes' and spent the night. Early next 
morning Thomas Orr heard that Cullen was at Mr. Mayes, ' 
and proceeded there expecting te meet him, but he was gone. 
He told Mr. Mayes' daughter, a young lady whom he was 
trying to court, that he might be expected there again on 
Wednesday night ; his competitor hearing of it went there 
and remained until a late hour, but Cullen did not come ; he 
spent the night somewhere else and returned to Line Ferry 
by a different route. While at Lewisville he undertook to 
create a disturbance, but not succeeding in tliis, he got 
ashamed of himself, went to the grocery, treated the crowd, 
and then left town. 

He failed to get Line Ferry, it being bid off by another 
party. He threatened to run it anyhow, and went to Lin- 
den, Texas, to procure license. He defied any man to bring 
a boat to that place; but, after due consideration, he con- 
cluded that he was laboring under a mistake. It may be he 
was not as brave as he anticipated; and, perhaps, it might 



;?/? LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. 

1)0 as well fur iiiiu to evacuate Line Ferry and fall back Lo a 
more secure place, wliicli lie found seven miles in the interior 
of the great State of Texas. 

His competitor, also, backed two or three miles further 
into the State of Arkansas, and took charge of another school, 
but never ventured to f^cliool, or anj^vhere else, without a 
double-barreled gun and a six-shooter; while, on the opposite 
side, like weapons were cari'icd daily into the farm where 
he was employed. Shortly after his return from Lewisville, 
and perhaps before he left Line Ferry, one George W. Bar- 
ron, who had for some time been trying to make himself very 
conspicious by professing great friendship for Cullen Baker, 
took great pains to inform his esteemed confederate of every- 
thing that might, perchance, give rise to disorder; and, 
among them, informed Cullen of his very narrow escape 
from a conspiracy on or about December 30, 1866. Cullen 
having far more confidence in his friend than his neighbors 
had, did not hesitate to believe that every sentence he 
uttered was as true as Holy Writ. The last spark of kind- 
ness that had for years been nourished in his bosom could no 
longer survive, but was swept away as a lighted taper before 
a i^rairie norther, to give i^lace for its more powerful rival, 
the desires of his passions. He swore vengeance against the 
i-ace of i^eople that he had so unfortunately become a mem- 
ber of. He was heard to exclaim: ''Men have called me 
bad, but I will show them that I have not done anything 
compared with Avhat I will do." And, in the rashest of 
terms, exclaimed: " If I could sink this whole country into 
hell by stamping upon the ground, I Avould stamp with all 
my power, and send it and every living creature, with my- 
self, into the infernal regions." These are only a few of the 
many similar sentences uttered by him during his spasms of 
rage. To describe his conduct and manner of demeanor 
is far beyond the power of man. The greatest display of 
eloquence could in no manner comjiete with the conduct of 
this character, who had long before thrown off the shackles 
of civil government, and was, to use a western expression, 
''going it alone." 

He had not only severed all his allegiance from the govern- 
ment, but departed from all self-control, giving himself over 
as a victim to strong driiili and the follies of his race. Good 
citizens were fortifying against him, their houses served 
them as breastworks, and the cracks they used for port- 
holes. So desperate was this character becoming that good 
men feared his company, even dreading to speak of him iu 
the mildest terms lest he might hear of it and become iiL^ 
suited, and visit upon them a most hoi-rible rain of buck and 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. 2r^ 

l)iiU. Many an innocent man could not help his blood i;nn- 
ning cold at hearing the horrible name of ''Cullen Baker." 

About April 15th Gullen ventured to make another visit 
into Arkansas. At a late hour in the night he arrived at 
Mr. Foster's, and hitching his mule some clistance from the 
house, proceeded into the horse lot on foot. After prowling 
about among the horses for some time, he was discovered 
by two large dogs, whose duty it was to keej) watch over 
the horses as well as the house. As soon as the dogs dis- 
covered him they brought on an attack, which terminated 
very unsuccessfully on their part; oiie of them fell on the 
lield of action from a well aimed shot from his enemy's gun, 
while nobly defending his master's i')roperty. When his 
companion saw the fatal result he fled from the scene of 
action, leaving his comrade lifeless upon the field, and seek- 
ing refuge under the house awoke his master, Avhose grulT 
voice startled the thief from the lot only to secure a safe re- 
treat, from which he might with safety shell the house. In 
another instant was heard the loud clatter of shot upon the 
roof, w^hich was barely sufficient to sldeld the family from 
destruction, but would not have been had he not been so 
cowardly as as to seek a stand at sucli a remote distance. 
After discharging a considerable number of loads at the 
house, the marks of which may be distinctly seen to this 
day, he mounted his mule and went to jMrs. Pugh's, and 
killed her dogs. jSTot being satisfied with killing dogs, he 
proceeded to try his plu(;k upon a lame goose which had not 
been able to get out of his w^ay. It is unnecessary to add 
that dumb brutes as well as human beings would shrink from 
his voice with a kind of instinct, that taught them to avoid 
such a monster as the greatest pest of mode in times. After 
leaving Mrs. Pugh's he went to Mrs. Smitli's, and shot about 
the house several times, ktlling one dog and wounding 
another. He tlien went to Mrs. Matthews,' a very old, in- 
firm and penniless widow, and killed her dog, the only guard 
she had. From thence he w^eut to Mr. Hooper's, and after 
killing his dog he left the State for Texas, which was only a 
few steps from the house. 

The next thing worthy of notice is a letter copied from the 
Jefferson, (Texas, ) Jimplccute, it fully explains itself: 

April 27, 1867. 
Mr. Cullen Baker, Sir: I have written to you before, 
but have not" received any answer. It may be possible that 
you did not receive the note. I, therefore, embrace the 
present opportunity of writing again. I suppose, (or at least 
f linve heard.) that you say you have nothing against me. 1 



30 LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER 

would be glad to know that it was a fact. I have also hean^ 
that you said you had understood that I had threatened 
your Hfe. As to your having heard it, of course, I cannot 
deny, as I am not accountable for lies told by others. All 
tliat I can ask for a man to be produced who ever heard me 
make any such assertion. 

It would be a great pleasure to me if our difficulty could 
be settled, and we were, or could become, as we once were. 
If I had, or could be convinced, that I have any acknow- 
ledgments to make, I would do it 's^ith pleasure; but I don't 
consider that I ever gave you any reason for treating me as 
you have, and I am not aware of giving you any cause for 
even being mad at me ; besides, I am not apprised of what 
you got mad about. I want to go over the river occasionally 
and I have been compelled to put myself to much tiouble 
and inconvenience, and have been deprived of the pleasures 
and comforts of life to keep out of your presence, and to 
prevent the execution of what I have feared to be your in- 
tentions. I hope to hear from you soon. Yours respectfully. 

Thomas Orr. 

It is only necessary to say that the above letter was re- 
ceived, though no answer was ever returned. 

About the first of June, 1867, Cullen Baker, in company 
with a companion of his kind, went to a grocery store on the 
Jefferson and Line Ferry road; the proprietor, Mr. Rowden, 
being absent, they demanded the keys from his wife, and 
went into the store, destroyed and carried off a considerable 
quantity of goods. When Mr. Rowden returned home and 
was informed of the misfortune, he went to see the parties, 
who very willingly agreed to pay the damages which had 
been assessed against them as soon as they could control the 
means. 

A few nights after this affair Mr. Rowden and family were 
sitting in their house, when some one called to him from the 
gate. Mrs. Rowden and daughter recognizing the voice to 
be that of Cullen Baker, insisted upon the husband and 
father not to go out, still remembering the harsh language 
used by him a few days before. Mr. Rowden, who feared no 
danger, ventured out in spite of their entreaties, and found 
Cullen Baker standing within a few steps of the door, witli 
a shot-gun in his hand. Cullen immediately accused Mr. 
Rowden of having spoken disrespectfully of him, and upon 
his denial of the charge, Cullen raised his gun and shot him 
in the left side, he then turned around and walked out of the 
yard, leaving his victim bleeding on the ground; he only 
lived long enough to tell his family that Cullen Baker was 
the man who killed him, and no one else need be accused of 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKEU. si 

it. This is one of his cowardly acts and midnight assassina- 
tions that needs no comment; the truth of it is too well 
known to require another word. 

About the same time, perhaps a few days afterwards, Cul- 
len attempted to make some freedmen go and live with some 
parties, and upon their refusal to comply with his orders he 
shot them dead. 

These lawless acts caused some disturbance among the 
citizens, who began to devise some plans to capture him. 
Cullen hearing of this, issued a proclamation, denying the 
charge alledged against him of kilhng Rowden, and asserting, 
further, that he would kill every man who accused him of it. 
The Federal commander at Jefferson, Texas, seeing that the 
citizens and civil authorities would not bring him to justice, 
sent a squad in pursuit of him, which forced him to leave the 
8tate to keep from being captured. 



CHAPTER VIL 

Cullen Returns to Texas — The CAVALiiv still Pursue 
Him — Cullen meets the Troops at Petty' s Ferry, 
BUT Escapes Them — He Pdllow^s them to Boston — 
Has a Fight with Them — He Kills one Man, and Re- 
ceives a Wound in the arm — He Leaves ToW'n With- 
out being Captured. 

Cullen Baker returned to the State after a few days, well 
armed and equipped. He bid defiance to the Federal 
authorities, and rode over the country ad libitum. The 
Federals traveled from place to place, making diligent search 
for him, but it was all in vain. He knew all the by-ways and 
hiding places in Sulphur bottom, he having hunted them out 
during the late war to keep from being captured by the Con- 
federate troops. It now become necessary for him to return 
to them to keep from being taken by the Federal cavalry. 
He did not care anything about roads; his home was in the 
forest. He camped wherever night overtook him, and tied 
Ids horse to a tree, or turned him loose to graze upon the line 
grass that clothes the western country in verdure. There, 
in the wikl of Sulphur bottom, he would strike camp by him- 
self, no superior to reverence, no inferior to give orders to ; 
none but himself, i^erhaps no human being within seven 
miles of him. Like the illustrious Alexander, he might well 
have considered himself the sole monarch of all that he sur ■ 
\ eyed. The lonesome forest, the tall jiidps and stately oaks: 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAJ^EE. 



the thickest of holly, myrtle and bay, as TTell as the immense 
iiraount of brushwood, shrubbery, and pasturage, all appear 
ing to be at his own command, and for his safety and pro- 
tection from the enemy who sought his whereabouts. 

The bare earth served him as a seat instead of a chair, and 
against the trunk of a tree was his resting place. His ra- 
tions, which consisted of a luncheon of cold bread and raw 
meat, or such other scraps of provisions as he could obtain, 
were hastily devoured by a voracious appetite, without table, 
plate, knife or fork. After quenching his thirst with the 
pure and colorless fluid that trickled along the winding 
brook, or, perhaps, with the muddy and foul water that is 
found in the filthy ponds of the western forest, and then a 
big draught of spirits from his canteen, which was rarely 
ever empty, and his repast was over. Then came a few 
moments for reflection upon the past, and consideration for 
the future. As his memory mounted the wings of time and 
wafced back to former years, he could behold, in his own 
imagination, the forms and figures of the many victims that 
lie had sent to their graves. The distressing cries of the 
widows and orj^hans were ringing in his ears. The blood of 
his victims, and the tears of the distressed and heart-broken 
companions of the slain were streaming before him in tor- 
rents too plain not to be perceptible. 

After these imaginations pass from his mind, and he be- 
comes sensible of his situation, he begins to plan for the fu- 
ture. Perhaps the idea enters his mind that he will abandon 
the country, and go to a land of safety on other shores; but his 
craving and blood-thirsty ajipetite is not satiated — he has 
not preyed long, enough on his fellow beings — there yet re- 
mains a few more persons whom he wishes to dei)rive of life. 
He has not caused enougli of grief, pain and sorrow — he 
must show his cloven foot a few more times — he must add a 
few more murders to the many alreajly alledged against him. 
Now he is far advanced upon the liighway of crime, but his 
thirst for plunder and bloodshed remains unsatisfied; the 
more depredations he commits the more he becomes dis- 
contented. He reflects upon Ijj's perilous situation; he is 
aware that he is iu open rebeflion against the United States 
of America — tha,t couiitry wliicli so many nations have tried 
to overthrow, but have as often failed. Now Avliat conclu- 
sions could our hero have drawn from such various basis oi" 
operations? Could he for one moment have entertained tlie 
itlea of trampling the United States government under foot, 
and planting his jlag upon the capitol at Washington: thereby 
accomplishing what, hundreds of thousands of well di*>- 
i'ipliiif-d icoldiern, acrompnirit^l by tlie l-f-r't '^fnerrilsTiip irn 






LIFE OF CULLEX BAKER. .;.; 

agiiiable have Tailed to do? His conclusions had not, at this 
time, fully developed themselves, his present intentions 
were only to escape justice at the option of a military com- 
mission, and become more skillful in the pursuit of a lawless 
life, lie is now overwlielmed in the thoughts of his future 
}>lans. His mind is <^reatly troubled, he iinds no relief, he 
i;oncludes to retire for the night; but he has no soft couch 
to receive him; no, not a cabin to shelter him from the night 
air and morning dews. A blanket si)read upon the naked 
earth served him as a place of repose, and his saddle or a 
pine knot was used as a substitute for a pillow. No human 
being was with him, no one to keep him company, but the 
lonesome cry of the forest owl, and the shrill noise of the= 
whip-poor-will. No human voice was in hearing; man had 
retired to his quiet home for refreshment and sleep. The 
wild animals Avere nov. i i-ing from their dens to seek their 
nightly prey. The lonesome howl of the wolf, and the dis- 
tressing cry of the panther might have been heard in the 
distant grf)ve. ^N^hile every other living creature appeared 
happy and contented with its lot, he alone must have been 
miserable. Soon he AVt)uld fall asleep, but it was only to 
dream of the many miserable creatures that he had sent to 
an untimely grave, and the nniny that he anticipated on 
sending whenever an t)pportunity occurred. He cared foi- 
nothing but to subdue his foes. He slept Avith his armc»r 
around him ; started at every strange noise, and was fre- 
<piently aroused by the roaring of the wind or the howling 
v>f the wild beasts of the forest. Being accustomed to rising- 
early, the light had scarcely ])roken upon the eastern hori- 
zon when he would be on his steed galloping through tlie 
woods or seeking a hiding place among the clilfs and ravines 
that border on the southern bank of Sulphur. For many 
days and nights he roamed over the wild western forests, 
fearing to be seen by any one except his best friends. It was 
rarely that he traveled the public roads for fear of meeting 
the Federal^ cavalry, which were traversing the country in 
all directions. He went to his friends during the night and 
got rations, or else they would take theni to him in the 
woods. 

After spending many days and nights in the swamps, he 
became bolder and less fearful, and" ventured to travel the 
by-ways and unfrequented roads. He procured tJie best 
arms a)id ammunition the country aftbrded, and changed 
horses very often, using none but the best. Always going 
at full speed, no person dared to halt him or inquif^ where 
he was going, or what was his business. Many days passed 
off and the troops were still scouting the country in pursuit 

•8 



Si LIFE or CULLEN BAKEB. 

oL' him. They knew, or at least supposed, liini to l)e in the 
.country, l)ut they could not lind him. Tlio citizens now 
began to make sport of the soldiers for allowing Cullen 
Baker to out-general them, but they were not easily dis- 
'Couraged, and continued to scout over the country and 
to travel the unfreijuented paths and settlement roads. 

Days and weeks passed away and he l:)ecanie so bold and 
fearless that he began to travel the public road, and had l^nt 
little hesitation in intimating his stopping places to his 
friends, and, indeed, to many persons with Avhom he was 
but slightly acfjuainted. Knowing that a large number of 
the citizens of the South had a kind of enmity toA^^ards the 
Federal troops, he felt assured that very few, if any, would 
intimate his whereabouts, but in this he was mistaken. It 
was not long before a small squad met up with him at 
Petty' s ferry, on the Sulphur. He had been scouting in 
Bowie county, and was returning to Davis, when he was 
suddenly overhauled at the place above mentioned by the 
advance guard of a squad that was in pursuit of him. When 
the advance guard, which was coiiiposed of two or three 
men, rode np to the ferry-boat, he was there, having just 
crossed Sulphur. They rode witliin a few feet of him, and 
began to engage him in conversation. They asked him his 
name, he replied '"IMyname is Johnson — what in the hell 
makes you so particular ".'''' '"We thought." said the ser- 
geant, ••from your arms and dress that you might be Cul- 
len Baker, the man whom we are in search of. ' ' As the last 
Avords fell from the sergeant's lips, Cullen raised his gun, 
leveled it at him and piilled the trigger, expecting to see 
liim fall from his horse a mangled corpse ; but he did not 
fall, neither did tiic gun lire, the cap only snapped. He still 
held the hvided gun in his hand, but it was useless to him at 
that timi. Before he could have drawn a pistol from 
liis scabbard they could Jiave shot him dead. Mam- 
thoughts rushed into his mind, but they disappeared as 
rapidly as they entered it. He knew not what to do ; death, 
with all its terrors, was staring him in the face. The only 
possible chance for escape was liy tliglit, and he was not long- 
in deciding to attempt it, although it would l)e a narrow 
escape sh«nild he succeed. Scarcely had he lowered his 
piece when he was seen forcing his way through the under- 
growth, which almost seemed to divide itself and make an 
opening for him at his approach. His adversaries shot at 
him, bu4 he dodged them and escaped. Soon the scouting 
party itself came up, and npon learning what had taken 
])lace, the troops were deployed and sent in search of the 
areat and darinc;- outlaw, who was now known to be Cullen 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER, jj 

Baker. Believing that he would be pursued, he rushe<l 
deepiT and deeper into the swamp, and did not stop until he 
had gone several miles. After winding along the southern 
l)ank of the Sulphur for a considerable distance, he came t^) 
a shallow place that was well known to him, for there were 
very few places on Sulphur that he was unacquainted with, 
and pushed into the stream and soon landed in Bowie 
county again. The troops searched for him .in every jjlace 
that, he might possibly have secreted himself, but he wa.s 
riiany miles away, laughing how easilj'- he had escaped their 
clutcltes". After becoming fully satisfied that he had not 
stopped in some thicket, as was supposed, they crossed Sul- 
phur and started oft" in the direction of Boston. Again were 
Cullen and the Federals on the same side of the river, but 
neitlier knew it. Keports say that Cullen also went in the 
direc:ion of Boston, and coming to a cross-road stopped and 
seereied himself in the buslies for some unknown purj^ose ; 
after remaining there a short time he saw the Federal troops 
coming, and prepared to give them a scare. He had escaped 
tliem "once, and felt satisfied that he could do it again. 
AVlien the troops came up to the cross-roads, he shouted in 
a very imperative tone ''Charge them, boys ! Charge them I"' 
The troops believing the woods to be full of Cullen's men. 
did n<3t vvait to form a line of battle, but left in great haste, 
without waiting to see how many they had to fight. After 
the troops had left tlie place, Cullen took charge of the bat- 
tle ground and captured an ofiieer's hat. He had now gained 
a great victory ; his fears had entirely left Jdm, and he had 
the utmost confidence in himself. He believed he cotild 
whip the entire Federal force, and was not satisfied until he 
i;ave^tiiem another trial. (This legend was circulated only 
tt) gain him a character.) He followed the main squad to 
Boston, and shortly after entering the town was called on to 
surrender, which he refused to do. 

Another opportunity was now presented for him to displav 
his skill and ingenuity. The attack was brought on by a 
score or more of well-disciplined soldiers, who fired on him 
several times. Cullen discharged both barrels of his gun at 
the same time, and then resorted to smaller arms, dischar'^- 
ing three or four six-shooters. After driving the Federals 
from their position, he mounted his mule andleft the town. 
The Federals- tost one man killed, and Cullen received a slio-ht 
w«>und in the right arm. He fell back a distance of Two 
miles and took another stand. The troops did not follow 
him, having no idea that he wotdd stop within their juris- 
dit'tron. 



SG LIFE OF GULLEN BAKER. 

CHAPTER VITI. 

CULLEN CArTURES A CTOVERNME^■T WACrOX A>;D TEAlf,. 

AND Kills the Teamster — Terrible 3Iassacre at 
Howell Smith's — Sp:veral Freedmen Killed anf^ 
Wounded — One AVhite Man Killed. 

The incidents and fights narrated in tlie last chapter ex- 
cited the animosity of tlie Federal officers to such an extern,. 
that they determined to have him regardless of time and ex- 
pense. A courier was dispatched immediately for rein- 
forcements ; they arrived in due time, and M'ere sent abroad 
into every portion of the country. The news spread from 
place to place, almost at telegraphic speed, that CuUeti 
Baker had evaded the Federal army and achieved a great 
victory. His friends, many of whom were much smartx-i- 
and wiser than he could possibly be, did not spare any timo 
in acquainting the public with his noble and patriotic deeds, 
as they were wont to call them. But few of his friends 
hesitated to add a number of tictitious occurrences to his 
bloody deeds, thereby attempting to justify him in every- 
thing that he had ever done . Thousands of southern me: . 
who were strong rebels during the late war, still hated th- 
name of Federal, and this many persons conceived to be aa 
excellent thing to lay the foundation and build up an eve: - 
lasting fame for the great ''yankee killer," or "Bowit- 
county hero," as he was frequently called. 

The name of Cullen Baker soon sounded throughout th: 
south and M'est as the only survivor of the ''lost cause." He 
wa,s known as a strong rebel, who had determined not to 
submit to the powers that be. He was knoAii to the jniblio 
(beyond the sphere of his personal acquaintances, ) as a mar. 
of considerable refinement, whose education was scarcely 
surpassed by any southerner. His judgment, merit and 
talents were said to be equaled by few and surpassed by 
none. He was looked upon by the mass of the people as a. 
l^erfect genius, and his name was becoming a general pas.«, 
word for the country. Many persons were not contented 
with merely adding a few fictitious occurrences to his rea- 
deeds, but turned from the truth entirely, and circulated 
many barefaced falsehoods that were not founded on any 
real facts. A great many of his desperate acts were not 
generally known, merely because people were afraid to com- 
bat public opinion. His numerous host of friends were con- 
tinually engaged in circulating the many false and romantic- 
deeds that had been attributed to him ; they caught at everT- 
incident that might possibly add laurels to the name whicli 



LIFE OF CULLFjN BAKER. 37 

lie liful already acliiovcd in the estimation of persons who 
\\?tA ])een laborinjj;' under cri'oneons statements regarding his 
u.iiprineipied career. These were not the only i)ersons who 
'i 'raised the name of the unscrupulous murderer. Many who 
were personally acquainted with the great arch-demon de- 
nounced every evil and ruthless act charged to him, saying 
rliey were utterly fal-se. but, at the sa.me time, endeavoring 
to impress false reports concerning his so-called unstained 
i-ha-racter. and ])alm them otf on the public as undeniable 
[•>cts. 

}Iis fame was spreading al)road to every portion of the 
■<"Utli and west as rapidly as the wings of time could convey 
it. It was not entirely conlined to these limits, for his name 
vy?as uttered and re-echoed again and again by the inhabi- 
tants of almost every State in the Union. It occupied an 
important place in the leading papers of the country, and did 
u«<t go lunioticed by the press of the eastern cities. Soter- 
nble did he become that troops were ordered from various 
l)';>sts throughout the Union to eastern Texas, to assist in 
rapturing one noted desperado — Cullen M. Baker. But 
while the troops Avere asseml)ling, and manoeuvring in regu- 
lar army and battle style, he was cautiously winding his 
waj^ through the dense forests of Sulphur, reconnoitering the 
familar plains and ravines that had so often served him as 
biding places in days gone by. So well had he become ac- 
iiuainted with the woods that he could visit any friend or 
cne-myinthe night as well as in the day, Avithout traveling 
the most remote path or being perceived by any person. 
except those wliom he especially desired to see. When he 
wished to have some provender for his horse he would pay a 
visit t(» some neighboring cornfield, and if the proprietor 
sli^ould happen not to lie in that i^art of the farm, he w^ould 
not go in search of hinr for fear of disturbing him, but 
would go calmly into the field, and after procuring a suf- 
ilcient (quantity. Avould i-eturn without leaving the price 
thereof. A few weeks more and the Federals gave up the 
cliase as fruitless, and returned to Jefferson. 

About the lOtli of October, 1867. Cullen, in company with 
a. friend, was riding along the Linden and Boston road, when 
he very suddenly and unexpectedly met a government wagon 
U'Mng in the direction of Boston. After jDassing by the team 
he became aware of liow easily he might have captured it, 
and linally decided that it was not yet too late. As quick 
as Thought he turned his horse and started oft" on his bloody 
expedition. He got ahead of the wagon, and secreted him- 
(Tielf on the roadside. When the wagon came up he fired at 
the driver, who fell from his mule a mangled corpse. The 



3§ LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. 

guards, which consisted of three or four soldiers, iliud at 
Cullen and then fled, leaving him unhurt, hut in possession 
of a wagon and team loaded with quartermaster and com- 
missary stores. Cullen took his immense stock into Sulphur 
bottom and kejit it concealed. When the guard returned to 
Jefferson and reported the above facts, a large force was 
sent in pursuit of him, but returned unsuccessful. The 
military commander tlien offered a reward of one thousand 
dollars for his aiiprehension. 

On several occasions this great arch-demon met perst>us 
on the highway who were not acquainted with him per- 
sonally, and before seperating he would inform them wlio he 
was, and would frequently shoAV them his wounds to con- 
vince them that they were actually in the presence <:•!' the 
great hero of the west, at the sound of whose voice, man, 
the noblest work of creation, would tremble with fear. He 
appeared to be exceedingly proud of his career, and desired 
that all should become personally acquainted with him, for 
at this time he rarely 8upp(jscd that any person could find 
any fault with his conduct, though he was almost daily. o:ni- 
mitting depredations of the grossest character. 

During the remainder of the autumn .he rode over the 
country unmolested, and spent the greater portion of his 
time in Arkansas. On Christmas day he went to Bright 
Star, where he met the most of his associates, besides a large 
number of young men whom he had never colleagued with. 
He bought several gallons of whiskey, and treated every 
man to as much as he would drink. After they had become 
somewhat intoxicated, he led tliem off in the direction of 
Sulphur. They arrived at 3Ir. Howell Smith's about two 
Iiours after dark. Mr. Smith had very recently employed a 
family of freedmen, who were occupying one room of tlie 
dwelling until a cabin could be erected. When Cullen and 
his squad, Avhich numbered two or three dozen persons, ar- 
rived at Mr. Smith's, they dismounted, went into the yard, 
and commenced shooting through an open door at the freed- 
men who were quietly seated around the fire. After shoot- 
ing a great many times, killing several freedmen and wound- 
ing others severely, Cullen received a flesh >\-ound in the 
right thigh which brought him to the ground. As. he felllie 
exclaimed: ''Charge them, boys I charge them I Kill the' 
last one of them, and set the house on Are l"' As the last 
woixls fell from his lips the crowd scattered in all directions; 
some started towards home, others ran ofl" in the opposite 
direction, some left their horses, some mounted the first 
horse they came to, some left their hats, others lost them on ^ 
the way, and many ran into the Avoods and did not r2?.ch 



LIFbJ OF CULLEN BAKER. 3& 

liome that iii<;ht. Only two or three, out of as many dozen, 
attempted to obey the command. These ran into the room 
that Mr. Smith and liis two (hiiiL;]iters were occupying, and 
commenced beating them with bottles, pistols, clnbs or any- 
thing that tliey coukl get hold of. They made several at- 
tempts to shoot the young ladies, but their pistols failed; 
they finally resorted to their knives, and succeeded in in- 
liicting several desperate wounds upon* their persons. They 
then scattered lire over the lioor and on the beds, and ran 
oflf, leaving their chief lying pi the yard alone and badly 
wounded. When Cullen found that no one was coming to 
liis assistance, he crawled ont of the yard to the hitching 
post to look for his horse, but no horse was to be seen, some 
body else had rode him oft'. Presently he heard a noise in 
the bushes, and crawling in that direction, found a mnle 
that once belonged to him. He caught it without any dit- 
ilculty, but was unable to mount. He crawled and led his 
mule into the yard where the two j'Oung ladies, being able 
to walk only from excitement, were attempting to drag their 
brutally murdered father from the house that was already 
submittcd to tlie tlames. Cullen accused them of rendering 
assistance to a negro. This they denied, contending that it 
^vas? their fatlier, and proposed to get a light to prove it to 
him\ After becoming satisfied that the person was their 
father, he ordered the girls to assist him in mour.ting and he 
would leave them. As lie rode off he said to them : '-If 
any of my company come back here to-night, tell them I said 
not to do you any more harm, but to go over on the saiid- 
Idll, for I am going over there to die."' He did not stop on 
the sand-hill but went over to Mr. Foster's, a distance of one 
mile, and calling him up, told him not to be afraid of him as 
he was badly wounded and needed assistance. As !Mr, Fos- 
ter helped him into the house, he told Inni what had oe- 
I'urred at Mr. Smith's, and told him to give them assistance, 
which he iuiniediately did. AVheii he arrived there he Ibund 
the dead and wounded negroes in one room, while the greater 
portion of the bedding and furniture in the other room had 
already been consumed, and the tiames were already rushing 
up the walls. If water had not been handy and plenty Mr. 
Foster would not have succeeded in (piencliing the tire. A. 
few yards from the house, Mr. Smith, an old gentleman wiio 
had seen more tlian sixty winters, was lying prostrate, sense- 
less and almost naked upon the cold earth. The girls were 
also badly bruised an<l stabbed several times with knives, 
No other members of tlie family were at home, Mrs. Smith 
and the two small children having gone to spend the night 
Avitii a married son who lived two miles distant. 



^yi ' LIFE OF CIJLLEN BAKER. 

A courier v.'as immediately dispatclied to Jciferson. Texas, 
fur a Federal scout. Captains Scott and Allen, of Davis 
county, Texas, raised a volunteer company of citizens-to go 
in pursuit of him. Cullen remained at 3Ir. Foster's until 
Saturday morning-, about sixty hours after the terrible mas- 
^^acre, Avhen his friends removed him to the Avoods. On the 
evening- of the same day Capt. Scott arrived in Arkansas 
with his company of Tcxans, and -vwis joined by several citi- 
zens wlio -went with liim in search of Cullen Baker. On the 
:same evening Gen. McGiotiin, of the eastern military depart- 
ment of Texas, arrived with his 'command of regulars; but. 
through a misunderstanding, a portion of the troops missed 
their way and went to Bright Star, where they vrere met by 
.some persons v.iio circulated the news, which reached Cullen 
in a few hours. The troops and citizens met at Mr. Smith's 
late in the afternoon. A war-council was now held to de- 
termine whether to bring on the attack tliat night or wait 
until the morning. It was decided that he could not pos- 
si])ly escape that night, and as the troops and a majority of 
the citizens were unac(|uainted with tlie Avoods. it would in 
i\ll probability l)e l)est to wait until m<»niing-. 



CHAPTER IX. 

The Federals and Citize;ns go in^ Seaiicii of Culled 
Bakek. but he EscArEs" THEM — He Leaa'e<=? the Coux- 
TRV. BUT Returns the next Falt, — He Kills Captain 
klkkman also willts and and]n:ws, and several 
Freedmen — He Kilks Jatuer Salmon— Compromises 
with tiif Citizens and FunusiTEs \ Letter in the 
•- Jimplecute." 

At au early hour on the following day. which was Sun- 
ilay, the troops and citizens were conducted to his camp, 
which they surrounded before the first rays of twilight had 
made their appearance in tlie eastern horizon. Every man 
,sat with a silent tongue, listening ears and open eyes, to 
catch the first sound that might issue forth from the camp. 
"At last the great blood-thirsty villain must be taken in," 
no doubt, rolled through the minds of poor citizens who had 
been living in fear for many months, as they sat impatiently 
awaiting the approach of the first rays of light to rid the 
country of the greatest pest of modern times. At last the 
light broke forth upon a silent and evacuated camp. The 
outlaws were gone. The pursuers could scarcely believe 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. /^l 

tlieir o\v)i eyes. All appearances of a recent camp, whicl' 
had been vacated but a few hours, was exposed to their 
view. Whoi the morning rays beamed down through the 
forest, which liad lieen stripped of its green foilagc by the 
bleak December winds, and made the more minute things 
visible to the naked eye, their horses tracks were distinctly 
seen leading in the direction of Sulphur bottom. 

Another council of war was held, and they concluded to 
follow them. Scouts were deployed and sent out to recon- 
■ji.iiter, and the main army followed on as rapidty as possible. 
They had not gone on more than two miles, guided by the 
horse-tracks, when they came in full view of the new cami». 
As soon as the advance scouts caught the first glimpse of it, 
tlie glorious news was shouted and re-echoed from tongue to 
tongue, until the entire command became familiar with 
the sound. The troops and citizens all ruslied forward, 
rhe firing commenced from every (juarter. the camp was 
soon evacuated, and no one was hurt. The villains had 
mounted their horses, wliich stood saddled, and rode away 
rhroug'h the dense forest. They left their pack mule. 
:imnninition. blankets; sliot-guns and six-shooters, all of 
v,hich was captured. 

The trooi)s continued to s(>arcl! for him for several days, 
;ind many good citizens turiu'd out to assist tliem, so tlnit 
I'V the ilrst of January more than three hundred persons 
were traveling under arms in search of him, and. perhaps, 
twice that number at home well armed and awaiting his 
arrival. During tlie search several arrests were made, 
among tliem v.cre 3[at. Kirby. an Irisjiman, and John K. 
Kanies alia^ Seth liames. Tiie former left Eriglit Stai" 
Avith Baker on tiie evening of the 2r)tii of December, but 
<iid not reach the residence of Howell Smith, the scene of 
the terrible massacre having ])ecome too much intoxicat- 
ed to travel, he fell from his horse about a half mile of Mr. 
smith's. V, here he lay until the next morning. He was an 
^'litire stranger. Xo one knew him, though his counten- 
ance i)laiidy indicated him to be a bad man. yet the 
<harges were not sufficient to justify his captors in execut- 
i)ig him. He was released from captivitj' and put in 
charge of a gun, l)Ut lie deserted the tirst opportunity, and 
went in search of Cullen to become his disciple again. 

The hitter (Rames) was not with Cullen at Mr. Smith's 
neither Ava^ he with him at any time during the day. but 
he was accused of being with him on several other occa- 
tions. and of acquainting him with the arrival of the 
Federal troops on tlie night of the 28tli of December. These 
imd other things were brought into consideration, and it 
was decided that he deserved death, and was accordingly 
executed. 



4>S LIFE OF CULLEN BAKEli. 

A few more words aljout the Smith family I)efore closiua'. 
Rumors Avere immediatelj^ circulated hy Baker's friejids, 
stating tliat the family was of a low grade; that they were 
having a negro party at the house, and the girls ^vere 
raking a part in the dance. But the statements "were 
false; no negroes were there except those employed, and 
they were very quietly seated around their lire, which was 
full fifty feet from "where the 31iss Smith's was sitting in 
(•ompaily Avith two neighboring girls, who had come to 
spend the night, but ran off" when the shooting commenced 
and la3" in the Avoods all niglit. The girls had a good 
reputation, both being members of the Missionary Baptist 
Church, and in good srandi)!g. Mr. Smith lived only 0210 
week, and the girls were keptto their l)eds for some tira<\ 
but finall}' recovered. Some of the wounded negroes re- 
covered and others died. Chapters might l)e written upon 
tiiis horrii.)le massacre, but the above will be sufficient; to 
give the reader an idea of vvhat might be termed the "'c- 
ginning of the third era of his life. 

Ciillen then left the country, and did not return agaiii 
until about the first of October. Soon after his returi: he 
went to Boston, Texas, and assassinated Capt. KirklKjm, 
rlie bureau agent. About tliis time Gov. Clayton ofiered a 
reward of one thousand dollars for his apprehension for 
murdering one J. Smith, on September 25th, ISGS. About 
Xovember 1st he crossed lAcd River with a small f<M'(-M 
numbering fifteen or twenty men, and committed several 
depredations iu Sevier and Little River coujities, Arkan- 
sas. Among his victims were Andrews and ^Villis, two 
government officers, who were on duty at Paraclifta : rd><> 
some freedmen on Mrs. Sarah Taylor's farm. 

B}^ this time Gov. Clayton had called to arms the militia 
of the State, and sent a large force under command of Gen. 
Catterson to capture Cullen Baker and his notorious band. 
Upon the approach of the militia. Cullen recrossed Red 
river, stopped at Dr. Jones' farm and represented liimself 
as being a militia officer in search of Cullen Baker, and 
asked the freedmen to go with him. which several of tliem 
did. After decoying them off" some distance, he drew 
them up in line directly in front of his juen, whom he 
ordered to tire upon them. Six were instantly killed and 
others badly wounded. He then rode awaj'. leaving tlieju 
upon the field. Next he went to Mi-. Jones' farm, a short 
distance away, and killed one freedman, after which he 
*;rossed Sulphur into Davis count}'. Having recruited Lis 
torce while in Arkansas, he now controlled a large com- 
pany. Immediately he went to Mr. James Salmon's, ar- 
riving there about two hours before daylight. He S'jr- 
rounded the house and called up Mr. Salmon, telling liim 



• LIFE OF GULLEN BAKER. AS 

that the Federals were there and wanted to see him. Mr- 
Salmon, not fearing' the Federal aiithoritie*. arose from liii> 
bed and opened the door, when CuUen and his Ijlood-thirsty 
elan rushed into the house, seized Mr. Salmon _ and tied a 
rope around his neck, and his hands behind his back, all 
ill the presence of his wife and mother. A guard was thi'i>. 
placed over him, while the infuriated crowd institutcu a 
general carnival of plunder and rol:)bery. Trunks wen- 
bursted open and searched for money, arms and anununi- 
rion ; beds were plundered ; out-houses ransacked, ami 
everj'thing of value to them was taken, including a vrrv 
tine saddle-mule, rille-gun, saddle-bags, saddle, l)ridl(.\ 
etc., and a small quantity of monej'. They remained tht-ix^ 
no longer than tlie captured property could 1)e got t..'- 
gether, when tliey left, takino- Mr. Salmon with rhem. tied 
as before. They accused him ot^ assisting tlie Federal- 
when they were hunting for him — Cullen Baker--^07ne 
months before. They ;dso accused him of being impli- 
cated in the murder of Seth Eames, but of this he must 
liave been entirely innocent. They took him about four 
hundred yards from his house and shot him dead, leavhig" 
liim lying in the road, where he was found next morning 
by his friends who went to look for him. 

After killing Mr. Salmon they went directly to Mr. 
Scarborouglrs'arriving there about daylight, and calling 
Mr. Scarborough requested him in a very rough manner to 
come out, as they wanted to see him. TJiis he refused tt> 
«lo, but asked them who they were, and ^^ilat was their 
I)usiness. He was informed that their leader was Culleii 
M.Baker, who desired to (piestion him concerning som^' 
arms and ammunition, and also about a coat which Culk-Ji 
feigned had been left there by sorne parties. ]\rr. Scar- 
borough would not surrender to the outlaws until Cullen 
Baker assured him the third time that he sjiould not h<' 
tiurt. Cullen then ordered the house to be searched, and 
during that time questioned Mr. Scarborough on mauy 
things too tedious to mention. He inquired about Captain 
Scott and others who run him so close about ten montiii- 
before, saying that he did not wish to hurt some of them 
if they would compromise with him. but if they refused to 
do it, he would burn every house within forty miles of til(^ 
place. 31r. Scarborough promised to see Captain Seott 
and others, and, if possible, bring about a compromise". 
Ctillen and his clan next went to Parson .lessee Dodd's^. 
captured him and kept him in custody nearly all day. and 
intimated to liira a compromise which he ])romised Kx> 
assist in. 

Several of the leading citizens now met and consulted,. 
and decided tliat it was the best policy to pursue. A il\..y 



U LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. 

was set apart for alL i)prsons interested to meet at Scott \« 
Miir?. ]Javis oounty. Texas, for the i>ur])Ose of havin.i;* ti 
irenerai compromise. Ciillen agreed to give a bond of two 
iiundred thousand dollars, with the best security that Bowie 
County affoi'ded, for his g'ood beliavior. The glorious 
news spread far and near, and when the day arrived hun- 
dreds of persons asseml)led at tlie mills to receive a gene- 
ral amnesty. CuUen, however, did not appear in person, 
:ris many ex])ecttMl. but re([uested Parson Dodd to state that 
he exc('])ted tiiree persons, Williams. Jackson and Dunla]), 
whom lie intended to have, it'they remained on earth, but 
no one else he intended ;!to interfere M'ith. Xothing was 
-faid about tlie bond. It must be stated that while the 
'.omjn-omise was being etfected he killed two negroes at 
>ir. Scarborougli's and one at Parson Dodd's. 

About this time a cmnmittee of citizens was sent out 
:roni Jefferson. Texas, to consult him and learn his future 
Hitentions. He was found in Bowie County. The follow- 
ing, whicli was written by a f)-iend. with his consent, was 
I'Ublishcd in ilie Jimplecute, fullv explains itself: 

Bowie County. Texas, Xov. 14. 18G8. 

Editojis Ji-.mi'lecute : Permit me to publish a state- 
ment in your paper in order to place myself right before 
rhe government and tlie people of the •countr}'. Various 
rumors liave obtained circulation through the country in 
regard to my course of conduct, and many persons are 
ommitting offences against law and good order on my 
'•redH; lience I deem itnecessary to dectare my sentiments 
and intentions for the future. ' It is rumored that I have 
-said that no civil officers should perform the duties of their 
offices in the country where I stay. To this report I have 
to say that I am strictly in favor of the enforcement of the 
. -ivil laws of the country by the legitimate authorities, and 
I now declare that it shalTlte my steady purpose to protect 
The quiet citizen and his laborers, either white or black, in 
the pursuit of tlieir avocations, I also request all good 
citizens to inform me of all depredations committed l)y 
other parties and charged to have been committed hy me. 
This is my native country, and my interests are identical 
with that of otlier citizens of the countr3% and I hope to 
remain in the counties of Davis. Bowie, Marion and tht- 
-jdjacent counties in Eastern Texas. And I further de- 
-'•lare tliat it will not be \\\\ purpose to make war upon the 
good and ])eaceable citizens or laborers of this or any 
other section; nor do I intend to interfere in any way 
with the powers that be. The white man and the black 
man will be perfectly safe in ni}- hands, so long as he lets 
iiie alone and pursues his peaceful and lawful T)usiness. 

In conclusion I have to saA' that I am not the great man 



LIFE OF CULLEK BAKEll .f > 

slayer tluit scandal has made me — killiii,u' white and bhK-k" 
wherever found — and I am determined in tlie future to do 
all the good I can for the peaceable and quiet citizens in 
the country where I stay. I shall in the futur<' publisli 
the causes ^vhich led me into my present ditUculties. ant' 
satisfied that I sliali not be deemed by a just community 
wholly to blame for \\\\ action in the past. 1 am now ana 
have ever been willing to submit the whole of my conduct 
to a decision of unl)iased men of ]ny country, an<l abide by 
their just verdict. 

Your obedient servant. 



CHAPTER X. 
Cui^LEN Crosses Red JiivEit AXD Collects all the 3iE.^ 

!IE CAN — EeTUHNS TO DaVIS CoUNTY AND COMMIT^ 

Numerous Depredarioxs — Hangs his Brother-in- 
Law, Thos. Orr — His Men leave him Because jie i^ 
TOO Cruel — He Learns that Thos. Orr is not Deai> 
— He "Goes for him'' Again-^Bakei; and Kii:i;y Aitj- 
ROTH Killed January G, ]S0!). 

Some mention must.be uiode in tliis (•hai)tcr of Tiionuu 
Orr, who continued teaching school in Lafayette County, 
eight miles north-east of Line Ferry, until the fall of ISg's. 
when he and his "\yife, formerly Miss Bell Foster to Avluun 
he had been married about one year, went to Mr. Fo>tei"-s. 
four miles south-east of Line Ferry, to spend the winter. 
Ciillen and he had not met in more than two years, 
neither had there been any compromise except tlie general 
compromise at Scott's mills, whicli included everybody 
rlie three before mentioned, but Thomas Orr Jiaving n<> 
confidence in his promise, had not yet laid down his arms. 

About November 20th Cullen paraded all the men thar. 
he could command, and took up the line of march in tin- 
direction of Little Eock. After crossing Red River lie- 
circulated the report that he was pursuing the militia for 
the purpose of recapturing property, and .seeking reveng*- 
for imaginary wrongs Inflicted upon tlie (.'itizens of Sevier 
and the surrounding counties. This report induced some 
pei'sons to flock to him through hopes of obtaining re- 
venge, when in reality they had not been w'ronged. 

When he collected all the men that he could in that por- 
tion of the country, he faced about and recrossed Red 
River, telling his men that he must go into Lafayette. 
Bowie, and Davis counties for the purpose of collecting 



..C LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. . 

ibe balance of his force, saying that he conUl conima'i'Kl 
I he entire country. 

The militia, wliich Jiacl started back in the direction of 
Little Rock, hearing of his raid into Sevier Count}', faced 
ribout and started in i)ursuit of him the second time. They 
il'id not stop at Centre Point this time, but proceeded 
through botli Sevier and Little Hiver counties and halted 
at Red Rivei-. 

When Culh'u readied the vicinity of Scott's Mills, he 
told his men tliat it was necessary to kill a few "abolition- 
ists,"' as lie called his enemies, before leaving the country 
to ]Hirsno tlie militia. He called at Mr. Robert Spell's 
near Scott's Mills, on tlie evening of December 7tli, ])ut he 
wtLS not at liome. He captured a Mr. Heggs, an entire 
-tranger. and tlireatened liim with hanging if he did not 
tell where Mr. Spell could l)e found. He tlien proceeded 
to Seott's mills, where he caught his old friend, G. AV. Bar- 
ron; from thence to Mr. Jackson's, but found no one at 
liome. Mr. Jackson having gone to Mr. Johnson's. Cullen 
proceeded there, but found no person. Messrs. Jackson 
:ind Johnson hearing that he was in the settlement, left 
the house aljout three aninutes before lie arrived. Avhich 
was almo-t a miraculons escape, for had thej' been cap- 
tured, not! ling less than death would have sufficed the 
l.iloody tliirsty villain. He proceeded to search the house 
for g(.nis and auimuiiition, and before leaving he called for 
.-onie paper ;ind wrote a note to Mr. Johnson ordering him 
to take his family and leave the State within ten days, and 
not stoj) in Arkansas. After leavin^s^ Mr. Johnson's he 
^•aptured a 3Ir. Murphy, and made him carry the keg of 
jiowder: they then proceeded in the direction of Arkansas. 
After dark "tiu-y crossed the State line, and surrounded 
Mr. Dempsey's house, several of the desperadoes rushed 
into tlie house and searched it. expecting to find Mr. 
Dempsey. but he was not there. They searched very dili- 
gently for guns, money and ammnnition. and took all 
they found." They tlireatened to kill Mr. Dempsey and 
■-everal of his neighbors ; and Cullen, in order to prove to 
Mrs. Dempsey that he was actually the notorious Cullen 
M. Baker, the hero of the west, rolled his pants above his 
knee, and showed her the Avound he received at Mr. 
Smith's nearly a year before, sa^'ing that he was shot from 
the house, when he Avas shot by some one of his own clan. 
Soon after leaving Mr. Dempsey's they arrived at his son's 
llO"a^e. Avhich Avai> about half a mile distant. Heai-ing 
them coming, he and his Avife ran into the Avoods. The 
\lcsperadoes searched the house, took his gun and ammu- 
mt,ion and killed his dog. By this time" they had more 
■^\nis than tliCA' could conveniently cany on* horseback. 



LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER. 47 

'\\'}jA\ thcA' arrived at Mrs. Roberts' they left all tlieir sur- 
3 (his guns in tiie corner of her yard. They then went to 
3Ir. Foster's -wiiere they arrived about ten o'clock, soon 
after the family had g'bne to bed. They surrounded the 
hoFtse and broke down the door, at the same time demand- 
ing* a surrender. Baker ordered his men in a very impera- 
tive tone to keep their posts, and to set the house o\i fire if 
a sincrle sliot was shot. The men, a company of savage in'^ 
diaiis, as he called them on that occasion, were heard all 
around the liouse and in the yard. Several of the cowardly 
villains rushed into tliA3 house witii cocked pistols and 
guns, tlireatening to kill every one and burn the house to 
ashes if any resistance was made. Mr. Foster arose from 
ids bod and demanded the cause of this untimel}' visit, but 
Avas only answered b3^ threats and oaths that could not be 
<;x<:elled by all the demons of the infernal regions. They 
calieJ. for*^ Thomas Orr, and ordered him to surrender. 
wliich he did. after having the assurance from Baker him- 
self Bhat he should not be hurt. Thomas Orr states him- 
self that he had no confidence in his pledge. ])ut for the 
sake of saving the women from destruction he surrendered. 
Xo soonei' had Cullen full control of tliem than he tied 
tit-jir hands behind them, ])ut ropes around their necks 
and lied them together. They fed thcdr horses, and re- 
mained there until morning, keeping the prisoners closely 
confined. Soon after daylight Cullen sent a detail after 
Mr. Davis, an old gentleman living in the settlement. About 
sun-'ip Cullen with his band and the three prisoners started 
off in a westerly direction. Thomas Orr rode behind a boy 
who was introduced as Cullen"s cousin, l)y the name of 
Baker, but was really no relation to him, his true name 
i^eing' Alf. Elliot. The prisoner was still tied, and Baker 
held one end of the rope himself. After traveling about 
half a mile, Cullen tied his end of the rope to a dogwood 
limb and Alf. Elliot rode out, leaving the victim suspended 
by :hc neck between the heavens and earth. 

A council was now held to see whether or not the . other 
prisoners should be put to death, and it was decided that 
Mr. Davis should suft'er the same fate. They having no 
surplus rope, Cullen ordered the executed wretch to be cut 
down and dragged out of the way, to make room for the 
second victim, but the interference of one of the party saved 
the second, though he had been suspended from the limb. 
Cullen hastened away as rapidly as possible, leaving his vic- 
tim upon the frozen ground. He went directly to Bright 
Star and procured a fresh supply of whisky. He released 
his prisoners during the evening, but captured more. He 
■vvent- to Rondo the next day, committing numerous depre- 



4S LIFE OF CULLEN BAKER, 

<lations on the way. When he arrived at Eondo he Ibunu 
that the citizens liad organized, and two companies wer- 
tlien in hne. He supposed that they had organized to fight 
the niihtia, but in this lid was mistaken; they having* oi- 
g-anized under orders from Gen. Catterson. Several thon.'^- 
aud troops weiK! raised about this time in the south-westeni 
counties, all for the purpose of opi^osing Cullen M. Bakei, 
who commanded a squad consisting of a score or more out- 
laws. 

On the following day, December 10th, Cullen crossed th .• 
line into Texas, taking with him a few of his most desijerat'^ 
laen, the majority of them becoming so disgusted with his 
•j^uduct that they left him never to associate with him agaiit. 
He went westward as far as ]\It. Pleasant, accompanies i 
only by 31at. Kirby, the same Irishman who was capture-' 1 
and released by the citizens about one year before. 

About December 20th lie returned to Davis County, au'l 
t-ame very near being captured, his companion, Kirby, wa.-: 
shot on this occasion. This gave them such a fright that 
they retreated across the Sulphur, perhaps with the inten- 
tion of recruiting. About January 1st, 18G9, the Federsil 
troops abandoned the country and returned to Jefferson, 
Texas. On January 4th Cullen recrossed Sulphur at Mucr: 
Island, and spent the night with 3Ir. Bell, an old resident o: 
Sulphur bottom. He reconnoitered the next day, and find- 
ing that the troops were gone, ventured as far as Mr. llaynes. 
the same jjlace where he killed Mr. Baily in 1854. He 
camped near the house and kept 3Ir. Haynes with hiiu 
during the night, and asked him if he knew anything abou" 
Thomas Orr. "I sujiiiose he is dead,'' answered Mr. 
Haynes, "I heard that you hung him about a month ago. " 
'^Yes," .said Cullen, '"I hung him but he is not dead. [ 
heard from him since ; but one of lis have got to die, and 
that before long.'' *'.Yes," said Kirby, "and that befor- 
to-morrow's setting sun ; say it, Cullen, say it.'' 

Cullen was not mistaken, his competitor was not dead : 
he was left by Cullen, apparently, a lifeless form, but lia<i 
recovered, and was still living. Very early on the followini, 
morning, January 6th, Baker and Kirby mounted thei: 
horses and started for Arkansas. Two and a half hour- 
lide brought them to the State line, and soon after crossing 
it they saw Mr. Forshe in the woods some distance fron. 
them. Baker, in a very imperative mood, said " Come here, 
sir." Mr. Forshe, trembling, walked up and saluted him ii. 
the best manner possible. Baker very kindly introduced hin 
friend, Kirby, and ordered him to draw his bottle, afte.. 
■which lie inquired about lii« victim who had come to life. 



LIFE OF GULLEN BAKER. 49 

.They proceeded directly to Mr. Foster's. Thomas Orr was 
hi the house and saw them commg, and supposing others to 
be close at hand, left the house and started for Mr. Lamar's, 
where he knew several persons had assembled for the pur- 
pose of butchering hogs, and believing that Baker would go 
there, he hastened to inform the neighbors, and make some 
preparation for his reception. He started on foot and in an 
opposite direction to prevent being seen by his opponent. 
When he reached there he found th^^t Baker and Kir by had 
beat him, having come the direct route and at full speed, 
and in the presence of eight men, all citize^is of the settle- 
ment, rode oif again taking with them William Fosteu, the 
oldest man in the crowd. When Thomas Orr arrived and 
learned what had taken place, he called upon the crowd to 
know how "many would follow him, at the sam.e time adding: 
" If we allov/ them to escape this time, I hope that God Al- 
miglity will sink this country below the level of the ocean." 
As the last words fell from his lips, three persons proposed 
to go with him.- Baker and Kirby supposing there to be no 
danger, stopped within a mile to rest and take some refresh- 
ments, when their pursuers were upon them, and in imme- 
diate succession discliarged about a half dozen pieces, wli^ch 
killed both Baker and Kirby almost instantly. 

Baker had about his person one very large double-barrelled 
sliOt-gun, four six-shooters, three deringers, several dollars 
in specie, twenty-seven door, trunk and satchel keys, of 
various kinds and sizes, five or six pocket knives, and a copy 
of the Louisville Courier Jou7"nal, dated December 16, 1868. 
From the column of "Southern News," the following ex- 
tract is taken, very carefully marked with a pencil, perhaps 
some of our readers remember it : 

"Cullen M. Baker, the Arkansas brigand, and his band, 
have left the State to join the Cuban expedition. If Clay- 
ton's militia could be induced to go to Culja, Halifax or any 
f)lace else, the State would enjoy peace and prosperity." 

Also a manuscript paper which read thus : 

"I, of my own free will and accord, and in the presence of 
Almighty God, do solemnly swear or affirm that I will never 
reveal to any one not a member * * by any nitus, mo- 
tion, sigi\, sintol, word or act. or in any other manner what- 
ever, any of the secret signs, grips, passwords, or mysteries 
or purposes of the * * and that I am not a member of 
. the same ; or that I know any one who is a member, and 
that I will abide by the prescripts and edicts of * * So 
help me God. C. M. Baker." 

Kirby had about his person one double-barrelled shot-gun, 
two six-shooters, a pocket-knife, son^e ammunition, and an 
empty pocket-book. 






^ *^ S\ 




(rtt.^jA.) 



LIFE 



OP THE 



ISrOTORIOUS DESPERADO 



Cullen Baker, 



CONTAINING 

A COMPLETE HISTORY OF ALL THE MURDERS 
COMMITTED BY HIM. 



THOMAS ORR, Editor. 



PRICE & BARTON, JOB PRINTERS, 
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. 



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